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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br><br>
CONTACT:<br><br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br><br>
Director of Public Relations<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br><br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br><br>
<div align="center"><h1><b>Blind Californians and Advocates Sue
Greyhound</b></h1>Lawsuit Alleges Blind People Cannot Use Greyhound
Website or Mobile App<br><br>
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<b>San Francisco (June 12, 2017):</b> In February of 2015 Tina Thomas,
who is blind, was planning a trip from her home in Los Angeles to Las
Vegas to visit family and friends. She tried to book the trip on
Greyhound.com, but her text-to-speech software couldn't interpret
Greyhound's website. She called Greyhound to book her trip, explaining
that she could not use the website, but Greyhound still charged her a
"convenience fee" for booking by phone. She tried to use the
website again earlier this year, but the experience had not
improved.<br><br>
Ms. Thomas and four other blind Californians, along with the National
Federation of the Blind, have now sued Greyhound in federal district
court. The lawsuit alleges that Greyhound has designed its website and
app so that they cannot be used by the blind. This violates the Americans
with Disabilities Act and state laws, the lawsuit says.<br><br>
Blind people use screen reader software that converts the content of
websites or apps into speech or Braille. This software can easily read
text, but it cannot interpret pictures, graphics, and elements like forms
and menus if they are not coded properly.<br><br>
The Worldwide Web Consortium has published in-depth guidelines on how to
make websites compatible with screen readers, known as the Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0, Level AA). Apple and Google have also
published accessibility guidelines for apps designed for the iPhone and
Android smart phones, respectively. Other major transportation providers,
such as Southwest Airlines, Amtrak, and the ride-sharing services Uber
and Lyft, have websites or apps that blind people can use to book travel.
But Greyhound has not made the needed changes to its website or app,
despite several requests from blind people and advocates.<br><br>
The lawsuit may be certified as a class action if the court approves. The
suit seeks an injunction requiring Greyhound to make the needed changes
to its website and mobile app. The case is <i>National Federation of the
Blind et al v. Greyhound Lines, Inc. et al</i>, case number
3:17-cv-03368. The plaintiffs are represented by Timothy Elder of the TRE
Legal Practice,
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8640&qid=1816889">
www.trelegal.com</a>, and by Lisa Ells and Michael Nunez of Rosen Bien
Galvan & Grunfeld,
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8641&qid=1816889">
www.rbgg.com</a>. Attorneys for the plaintiffs are interested in speaking
with any blind individuals who have been unable to use the Greyhound
mobile app or website with their screen-reader or who have been charged
convenience fees for booking tickets over the telephone.<br><br>
"Without the ability to drive, blind people need travel
alternatives like Greyhound," said Mark Riccobono, President of the
National Federation of the blind. "It's mystifying, not to mention
unlawful, that Greyhound makes it impossible for us to book trips in the
same ways everyone else can. Worse yet, Greyhound charges us extra for
the convenience of using the only booking methods that work for us, the
phone or the ticket counter at the bus station. Paying for Greyhound’s
discrimination against us is offensive and this unequal treatment will
not be left unchallenged. "<br><br>
<div align="center">###<br><br>
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About the National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back. For more information, visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8642&qid=1816889">
www.nfb.org</a>.<br><br>
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