[Nfbk] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind and H&R Block Announce Agreement Assuring Accessibility

[Cathy Jackson]

Thought this would be useful information for those of you who have not yet
filed your taxes.


Cathy


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Freeh, Jessica <JFreeh at nfb.org>
Date: Tue, Mar 25, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Subject: National Federation of the Blind and H&R Block Announce Agreement
Assuring Accessibility
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 *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




*National Federation of the Blind and H&R Block Announce Agreement Assuring
Accessibility*

*H&R Block Will Make Online Tax Prep and Mobile Apps Accessible*

*Boston, Massachusetts (March 25, 2014):* The National Federation of the
Blind (NFB) <http://www.nfb.org>, the oldest and largest nationwide
organization of blind Americans, and H&R Block, which prepares
approximately one in seven tax returns in America, announced today that
they have reached an agreement to make H&R Block's Web site, online tax
preparation products, and mobile applications fully accessible to blind
taxpayers.  Blind people access computers, Web sites, and mobile
applications 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.  The agreement is contained in a consent decree
ending litigation involving NFB, two of H&R Block's subsidiaries, two blind
Massachusetts residents, and the United States Department of Justice.  The
consent decree outlines steps that H&R Block will take to assure that its
Web site, including the utility for preparing income tax returns, is
accessible by January of 2015 and that its mobile applications are
accessible by January of 2016.  The agreement also contains measures to
ensure that accessibility is maintained and that blind users and others
with disabilities can provide feedback and receive assistance with
accessibility issues.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which will make the online
services of one of America's largest and most popular tax preparers
available to blind taxpayers.  Blind people will soon be able to file their
tax returns privately and independently if they wish, rather than seeking
assistance in doing so.  We commend H&R Block for its commitment to making
its services accessible to all taxpayers, including those who are blind."

Jason Houseworth, President of Global Digital Tax Solutions and Product
Management at H&R Block, said: "H&R Block is pleased to have reached an
agreement with the National Federation of the Blind that insures the
accessibility of our online resources for individuals who use assistive
technologies and will work with the organization on further refinements to
our online resources.  We are committed to providing superior customer
service to all Americans, including those with disabilities.  As part of
that commitment we want to serve all clients how they prefer to be reached
-- in a retail office, online, using software or a combination of methods."

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.



*###*




*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.
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