[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Files Discrimination Complaint with Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
Danielsen, Chris
CDanielsen at nfb.org
Thu Jul 19 00:10:29 UTC 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Federation of the Blind Files Discrimination Complaint with MCAD
Alleges Discrimination by Epic Systems Corporation
Boston (July 18, 2018): The National Federation of the Blind, the
nation's oldest and largest organization of blind Americans, has
filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against
Discrimination (MCAD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) against Epic Systems Corporation. Epic creates and distributes
software solutions used widely throughout the US healthcare industry.
The complaint alleges that blind people are barred from employment at
hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts that use Epic's software because Epic has not made that
software compatible with screen readers used by the blind.
Screen readers are technologies that render information on a computer
screen as synthesized speech or Braille and allow blind users to use
keyboard commands instead of a mouse. When technology is compatible
with screen readers and meets certain other criteria, it is said to
be accessible.
"Blind people are employed successfully throughout the healthcare
industry at all levels, but Epic's discriminatory behavior threatens
their ability to maintain or obtain such employment," said Mark
Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "Epic's
failure to make its systems accessible is inexcusable, especially
since the company has taken steps to make its patient-facing software
accessible. Apparently, Epic thinks blind people are only fit to be
patients, not healthcare workers. This is wrong, and the blind of
America will not tolerate it."
The National Federation of the Blind is represented by Christine M.
Netski and Grace L. McGuire of the Boston firm Sugarman, Rogers,
Barshak & Cohen, P.C., and by Joseph B. Espo and Kevin D. Docherty of
the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP.
###
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
<http://www.nfb.org>www.nfb.org.
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
---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com
More information about the NFBNet-Members-List
mailing list