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style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'><BR><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>
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<H1><B>Blind Californians and Advocates Sue Greyhound</B></H1>Lawsuit Alleges
Blind People Cannot Use Greyhound Website or Mobile App<BR><BR></DIV><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></DIV>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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