[nfbcs] NFB and 2 Massachusetts Taxpayers File Suit Against H & R Block Due to Inaccessible Web Site & Services

[Mika Pyyhkala]

On Twitter:
@pyyhkala @grammarglamor @NFB_Voice

Best,
Mika Pyyhkala


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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<mailto:Cdanielsen at nfb.org>

National Federation of the Blind and Two Blind Taxpayers
File Suit Against H&R Block

Boston, Massachusetts (April 8, 2013): The National Federation of the
Blind<http://www.nfb.org> (NFB), the oldest and largest organization
of blind people in the United States, and two blind taxpayers residing
in Massachusetts-Mika Pyyhkala and Lindsay Yazzolino-filed suit today
in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
(Case 1:13-cv-10799-GAO) against the digital arm of H&R Block, which
prepares approximately one in six tax returns in America and claims to
be "the only tax preparation company capable of serving clients
anyway, anywhere and anyhow they want to be served."  The complaint
alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
Article 114 of the Massachusetts Constitution as enforced through the
Massachusetts Equal Rights Act (MERA) because the company's online tax
services and Web sites are not accessible to blind taxpayers.

Blind people access computers and Web sites through screen access
software that converts what is on the screen into spoken words or
Braille, but improperly coded Web sites and applications can prevent
this software from working properly, denying the blind user equal
access.  Both Mr. Pyyhkala and Ms. Yazzolino unsuccessfully attempted
to file their 2012 tax returns using HRBlock.com.  The plaintiffs are
requesting the court to certify the suit as a class action.

Dr. Marc Maurer<http://www.nfb.org/marc-maurer-bio>, president of the
National Federation of the Blind<http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice>,
said: "As millions of Americans rush to prepare and file their taxes
online using H&R Block's popular Web sites, blind people are unable to
do so because the company has refused to make its Web site accessible
to us.  For most blind people, this means that they must obtain
assistance filing their tax returns, rather than having the option to
do so privately and independently.  The laws of the United States and
the state of Massachusetts require, and blind Americans demand, that
H&R Block make all of its online services accessible to blind
taxpayers."

The National Federation of the Blind and the individual plaintiffs are
represented in this matter by Christine M. Netski of the Boston firm
Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, P.C., and Daniel F. Goldstein and
Gregory P. Care of the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP.

The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure that
blind children get an equal education, to connect blind veterans with
the training and services they need, and to help seniors who are
losing vision continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. To
make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org>.


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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and
most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in
the United States.  Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil
rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative
education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind and
those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become
independent and successful.  We need your support.  To make a
donation, please go to www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org/>.