[Nfbk] Florida State University Resolves Litigation withStudents

[Nickie Pearl]

-----Original Message----- 
From: David Andrews
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 12:32 AM
To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] Fwd: Florida State University Resolves Litigation 
withStudents


>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>
>
>CONTACT:
>
>Chris Danielsen
>
>Director of Public Relations
>
>National Federation of the Blind
>
>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>
>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>
><mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>
>
>Jeffery Seay
>
>University Communications
>
>Florida State University
>
>(850) 644-0277
>
>jseay at admin.fsu.edu
>
>
>
>
>Florida State University Resolves Litigation with Students
>
>
>
>
>
>National Federation of the Blind Praises Comprehensive Settlement Agreement
>
>
>
>
>
>Tallahassee, Florida (March 6, 2012): Florida State University and two 
>students who are blind­Christopher Shane Toth and Jamie Ann Principato­have 
>resolved a <http://stage.nfb.org/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=819>lawsuit 
>brought by the two students with the assistance of the 
><http://www.nfb.org/>National Federation of the Blind last summer.
>
>
>
>The students claimed that they experienced discrimination in violation of 
>state and federal disability laws, including failure to reasonably 
>accommodate their disability and lack of accessible technology.  As a 
>result, they claimed, they were unable to complete courses related to their 
>academic majors.
>
>
>
>Without admitting liability or wrongdoing, the university has agreed to pay 
>each of the students $75,000 in settlement of their claims and to continue 
>its efforts to make courses accessible to all students.  Specifically, the 
>university will examine technology-based instructional materials currently 
>in use for accessibility compliance, and ensure accessibility in future 
>software and hardware procurements.
>
>
>
>“We are extremely pleased with this settlement agreement, which will 
>benefit all current and future blind students at Florida State,” said Dr. 
>Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind.  “We 
>commend the university for showing leadership and commitment to treating 
>students with disabilities equally and hope that other institutions of 
>higher learning will follow the example set by Florida State.”
>
>
>
>“I am greatly relieved and pleased that this litigation has been resolved 
>and look forward to continuing my academic career at Florida State on an 
>equal basis with my sighted peers,” Principato said.
>
>
>
>“We are committed to the success of all of our students, including those 
>with disabilities,” said Garnett S. Stokes, provost and executive vice 
>president for academic affairs at Florida State.  “We will continue our 
>efforts to make our institution a welcoming and rewarding environment for 
>students with disabilities.”
>
>The plaintiffs are represented in this matter by Daniel F. Goldstein, 
>Sharon Krevor-Weisbaum, and Brooke E. Lierman of the Baltimore firm Brown, 
>Goldstein, and Levy; and Matthew Dietz of the Miami firm Law Offices of 
>Matthew W. Dietz, P.L.
>
>###
>
>
>
>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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