[Ohio-talk] Grey hound

[Richard Payne]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Release Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Category: National
 
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> 
 
National Federation of the Blind Reaches Comprehensive Agreement with
Greyhound
 
San Francisco (July 17, 2018): Greyhound has committed to make its website
(www.greyhound.com/ <https://www.greyhound.com/> ) and mobile apps more
accessible to blind passengers who use screen-reader software to access
these services. An agreement with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
resolves a lawsuit filed by the NFB
<https://nfb.org/blind-californians-and-advocates-sue-greyhound>  and five
blind California residents who had trouble using the website.
 
Under the agreement, Greyhound will ensure that greyhound.com and the mobile
apps allow blind users to gain the same information and engage in the same
transactions with an ease of use substantially equivalent to that of a
sighted person using the same browser or operating system without
screen-reader software. Changes needed to accomplish this goal will be made
in less than a year. Until then, Greyhound will inform blind passengers of
alternative methods for purchasing bus tickets on the website and mobile
apps. The website and mobile apps will also clearly state Greyhound's
longstanding policy that blind passengers who self-identify to customer
service representatives and state that they have had difficulty using the
website or mobile apps will not be charged any call center booking fee or
other additional charge solely because they have used the Call Center under
these circumstances. The National Federation of the Blind will conduct a
"secret shopper" program to report to Greyhound whether the operators at its
call centers are following this policy.
 
"We commend Greyhound for agreeing to remove access barriers on its website
and mobile apps on a robust timeline," said Mark Riccobono, President of the
National Federation of the Blind. "We further commend the company for its
commitment to treat blind passengers fairly when we are unable to complete
transactions through its website or apps, and urge other transportation
providers to follow Greyhound's example in both respects. The National
Federation of the Blind will work closely with Greyhound to help ensure that
booking passage on its bus service is a fully accessible experience for
current and future blind passengers."
 
"As we complete our work on our new websites and mobile apps, we are
grateful to have the assistance of the capable and committed members of the
leadership of the National Federation of the Blind in ensuring that these
websites and apps are easy to use and fully and equally accessible to all of
our customers," said Todd Koch, Vice President of strategy and business
development, Greyhound Lines, Inc.
 
The plaintiffs are represented by Timothy Elder and Anna Levine of the TRE
Legal Practice, www.trelegal.com <http://www.trelegal.com> , and by Lisa
Ells and Michael Nunez of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP, www.rbgg.com
<http://www.rbgg.com> .
 
###
 
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 nfb.org.
 
About Greyhound 
Greyhound, a FirstGroup plc company, is the only national provider of
scheduled intercity coach services in the U.S. and Canada. Based in Dallas,
Greyhound provides scheduled passenger services to 3,200 destinations
carrying approximately 18 million passengers a year. The company's
point-to-point service, Greyhound Express, serves more than 135 markets and
also operates brands for local markets including BoltBus, Lucky Streak
casino service and Greyhound Connect. Greyhound is the first U.S.-based
intercity bus company to operate domestic service within Mexico as well as
international connections to Texas. For fare and schedule information and to
buy tickets, call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at www.greyhound.com
<http://www.greyhound.com> . For the latest news and travel deals, follow us
on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GreyhoundBus
<http://www.twitter.com/GreyhoundBus> . Like us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus <http://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus> ,
follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/greyhoundlines
<http://www.instagram.com/greyhoundlines> , download a high resolution photo
at www.bit.ly/GreyhoundBusPhotos <http://www.bit.ly/GreyhoundBusPhotos> , or
follow our award winning blog, The Hound, at www.bloggreyhound.com
<http://www.bloggreyhound.com> .
 
 
 
 
 
 


Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937-396-5573or 937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com
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


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