From webmaster at nfb.org Fri Jun 5 12:45:18 2020 From: webmaster at nfb.org (National Federation of the Blind) Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2020 12:45:18 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Mile-High-Chapter] National Federation of the Blind Sues Duke University Message-ID: <20200605124518.9041E61CA70F@lx-web-pri.nfb.org> [1] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND SUES DUKE UNIVERSITY _Lawsuit Alleges Discrimination Against Blind Students_ RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA (JUNE 4, 2020): Duke University systematically discriminates against blind students and alumni in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, according to a lawsuit filed today. The action, brought by the National Federation of the Blind and Duke MBA Mary Fernandez, alleges that Duke failed to ensure that blind students can interact with digital content and platforms and access course materials--including hard-copy Braille materials and hard-copy tactile graphics when requested and appropriate--on an equal basis with students without disabilities. According to the lawsuit, Plaintiff Mary Fernandez is a blind student who began the Duke Daytime MBA program in the fall of 2018. To read print, Ms. Fernandez uses screen access software, Job Access with Speech ("JAWS"), which vocalizes the text using synthesized speech or displays it on a connected device called a refreshable Braille display. For STEM subjects, Ms. Fernandez also uses hard-copy Braille and tactile graphics to better understand the complex concepts because refreshable Braille displays only display a single line of Braille cells at a time, and thus are not useful for complex equations, coordinate planes, diagrams, maps, and other graphics. Ms. Fernandez met with the Assistant Director of Student Life before she enrolled and was assured Duke would provide the accommodations she needed to have equal access to her education. From the start, however, Ms. Fernandez experienced barriers that permeated every aspect of her educational experience. When she applied for admission, she encountered an inaccessible web-based application. When she registered online for courses, she could not access the course descriptions. When she utilized the employer recruiting system, she could not set up her user profile and could not utilize any of the search functions. In addition, Duke failed to provide Ms. Fernandez with timely access to accessible course materials, including hard-copy Braille and tactile graphics when she requested them. As a result, Ms. Fernandez was continually forced to divert her time and attention away from her studies to advocate for equal access to her education. "Blind students must have access to course materials in accessible formats including Braille, along with equal access to digital platforms and content, at the same time as sighted students in order to have an equal opportunity to succeed," said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "This is not a new issue; it has been a focus of our advocacy for nearly two decades, and institutions of higher education have no excuse for not meeting this legal and moral obligation. The blind cannot and will not tolerate discrimination of this kind." "The failure to provide blind students with timely, accessible course materials and career services not only harms their educational experience, it puts their future career and economic self-sufficiency at risk," said Virginia Knowlton Marcus, chief executive officer of Disability Rights North Carolina. "Duke University, in particular, has previously been sued by Disability Rights NC regarding the inaccessibility of its course materials and has the responsibility to know better and do better." "I expected an institution with Duke's high standards and reputation to be able to meet my needs as a blind student and was assured that would happen," said Ms. Fernandez. "Instead, my time at Duke has been something of a nightmare. I hope the action I am now taking will improve things for future blind students who want to attend Duke." The plaintiffs are represented by the attorneys of Disability Rights NC and the law firm of Brown Goldstein Levy LLP [2]. ### ABOUT THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org [3]. ABOUT DISABILITY RIGHTS NORTH CAROLINA Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) is the federally mandated protection and advocacy agency for the State of North Carolina dedicated to advancing the rights of all people with disabilities, of all ages, statewide. DRNC is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a member of the National Disability Rights Network. Learn more about Disability Rights North Carolina at www.disabilityrightsnc.org [4]. CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org Holly Stiles Litigation Counsel Disability Rights North Carolina (919) 856-2195 holly.stiles at disabilityrightsnc.org [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 Unsubscribe [10] | Opt Out [11] | Sign Up for Our E-newsletter [12] .. 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URL: From webmaster at nfb.org Fri Jun 5 17:00:21 2020 From: webmaster at nfb.org (National Federation of the Blind) Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2020 17:00:21 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Mile-High-Chapter] Time-sensitive: Blind New Yorkers Achieve Access to Absentee Voting Message-ID: <20200605170021.B6DB961653E1@lx-web-pri.nfb.org> [1] BLIND NEW YORKERS ACHIEVE ACCESS TO ABSENTEE VOTING _STATE AGREES TO IMPLEMENT INTERIM SYSTEM ALLOWING THE BLIND TO CAST ABSENTEE AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS PRIVATELY AND INDEPENDENTLY FOR JUNE 23 ELECTION_ A federal district judge has approved an agreement requiring the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) to instruct local election boards to provide accessible absentee ballots to blind voters for the June 23, 2020 primary election. The ruling resolves a request for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit [2] filed by the National Federation of the Blind of New York and a coalition, including: Disability Rights New York; American Council of the Blind--New York, Inc.; Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York; Disability Rights Advocates; and several New York voters with disabilities. Read the full official press release [3] on our website. Blind voters will be able to request an accessible electronic absentee ballot through a page on the NYSBOE website [4] or through their local county board of elections. They must do so by June 16, 2020. The National Federation of the Blind of New York is also asking blind voters to provide feedback on the accessible absentee voting process. They can complete a survey by calling 716-222-3NFB (716-222-3632) or visiting www.nfbny.org [5]. The court's order is the third in a recent string of successes for the National Federation of the Blind to protect the rights of blind voters as states shift to absentee and mail-in ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic. Battles for accessible absentee voting in primary elections have also been won in Michigan [6] and Pennsylvania [7]. "We are pleased that an agreement has been reached swiftly regarding the June 23 primary," said Mike Robinson, president of the National Federation of the Blind of New York. "We hope to work productively with NYSBOE to identify a more permanent solution and that other jurisdictions across the country will take note of our efforts in the empire state." The lawsuit, which will continue in order to resolve the question of accessible absentee and mail-in ballot solutions for elections later this year, alleges violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The National Federation of the Blind of New York is represented by Eve Hill [8] of Brown Goldstein Levy LLP [9]. ### ABOUT THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org [10]. CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 Unsubscribe [16] | Opt Out [17] | Sign Up for Our E-newsletter [18] .. 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