[Nfbk] FW: McCarran International Airport Discriminates Against Blind Passengers

[Cathy]

-----Original Message-----
From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org]
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 10:12 AM
To: Alpidio Rolon; Amy Buresh; Art Schreiber; Beth Rival; Bill Packee; Bob
Kresmer; Carl Jacobsen; Cassandra McNabb; Cathy Jackson; Charlene Smyth;
Christine G. Hall; Dan Hicks; Daniel Burke; Don Galloway; Donna Wood; Elsie
Dickerson; Frank Lee; Franklin Shiner; Fred Schroeder; Garrick Scott; Gary
Ray; Gary Wunder; Grace Pires; J.W. Smith; James Antonacci; Jennelle
Bichler; Jennifer Dunnam; Joe Ruffalo; John Batron; John Fritz; Joy Harris;
Joyce Scanlan; Ken Rollman; Kim Williams; Kimberly Flores; Larry Posont;
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Rena Smith; Ron Brown; Gardner, Ron; Sam Gleese; Scott LaBarre; Selena
Sundling-Crawford; Terry Sheeler
Subject: McCarran International Airport Discriminates Against Blind
Passengers


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



McCarran International Airport Discriminates Against Blind Passengers
National Federation of the Blind Files Suit Over Inaccessible Kiosks


Las Vegas, Nevada (March 30, 2011): The National Federation of the Blind and
four blind individuals-Alan and Billie Ruth Schlank, Joyce Pratt, and Mark
Adreon-who frequently fly or plan to fly to and from Las Vegas through
McCarran International Airport, have filed a class-action lawsuit in the
United States District Court for the District of Nevada against Clark
County, Nevada; the Clark County Board of Commissioners; and the Clark
County Department of Aviation, which administers McCarran International
Airport.  McCarran uses common-use self-service (CUSS) ticketing kiosks that
employ a visual touchscreen interface without any auxiliary aids, such as a
voice guidance program, and therefore cannot be used by blind passengers.
Passengers who are able to use the kiosks can access information about
flights, check in for flights, print tickets and boarding passes, select
seats, upgrade to business or first-class cabins, check baggage, and perform
other transactions relevant to their air travel plans.  CUSS kiosks are
unique because they are owned or controlled by the airport instead of by
individual airlines and allow passengers to access most of the airlines
operating at McCarran from any machine.  The suit alleges that the
defendants are violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 because the benefits provided to travelers
through these kiosks are not available to blind visitors to the airport.
McCarran could easily add an audio interface, a tactile keypad, or
interactive screen reader technology that works with touchscreens to its
kiosks, or purchase kiosks with these features, but has neglected to do so.
McCarran has also refused to respond to the plaintiffs' offer to work
collaboratively on implementing available technological solutions.




Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"Blind passengers have always experienced discrimination in air travel, but
the fact that airports like McCarran are now deploying inaccessible
technology to perform routine travel functions is the greatest threat to the
privacy and independence of blind air travelers that we have seen.  Airports
and airlines are engaging in this blatant discrimination even though the
technology to make kiosks accessible is readily available, has been deployed
by others, and involves little cost.  Instead of enjoying the features and
convenience of these kiosks, including a quicker and more convenient
check-in process, blind passengers must either wait in long lines at the
ticket counter or share personal information with strangers in order to use
the kiosks.  We will not tolerate a separate and unequal experience for
blind travelers and demand that the defendants cease their discrimination
against us as soon as practicable."



Plaintiffs are represented in this matter by Daniel F. Goldstein, Gregory P.
Care, and Timothy P. Elder of the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein, and Levy;
Laurence W. Paradis, Karla Gilbride, and Kevin Knestrick of the Berkeley
firm Disability Rights Advocates; and Eric Taylor of the Las Vegas firm
Alverson, Taylor, Mortenson & Sanders.





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About the National Federation of the Blind


With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.













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