[Tn-talk] National Federation of the Blind Assists Federal Employee Experiencing Discrimination

[Sheri Anderson]

>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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
National Federation of the Blind Assists Federal Employee Experiencing
Discrimination
Washington, D.C. (March 27, 2013): With the assistance of
<https://nfb.org/>the National Federation of the Blind, Michael
Leiterman, an attorney with the Department of Homeland Security's
Customs and Border Protection division (CBP), has filed a lawsuit  in
the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Case
1:13-cv-00394) alleging unlawful discrimination against him and other
blind employees in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws that
require the federal government to provide equal opportunity to people
with disabilities.  Mr.
Leiterman is blind and uses screen-access software, which converts what
is on a computer screen into synthesized speech, to access the computer
information required to perform his job. The basis of his
discrimination claim is that CBP has continued to procure and deploy
inaccessible software and technology, adversely affecting Mr.
Leiterman's ability to perform his job severely enough to result in the
denial of a routine promotion. Among the problems Mr. Leiterman has
experienced are inability to access Web pages and documents on the
Intranet used by CBP, inability to access his office e-mail and the CBP
computer network when telecommuting, inability to complete training
required by CBP and more.
Dr. Marc Maurer, president of <https://nfb.org/>the National Federation
of the Blind, said: "If blind people are to succeed in the modern
workplace, and therefore make meaningful contributions to society, then
we must have equal access to workplace technology, and employers are
required by law to provide that access or make appropriate
accommodations. <https://nfb.org/>The National Federation of the Blind
will continue to fight for the rights of Mr.
Leiterman and other blind federal employees to fully participate in
their workplaces and in society."
Mr. Leiterman said: "I have spent entirely too much time over the past
six years trying to solve problems created by my employer's unlawful
use of inaccessible technology rather than performing the legal work
for which I am qualified by my advanced law degree and which I was
hired to do. Despite the fact that my work has been satisfactory, I was
denied a routine promotion because I could not do my job effectively
due to inaccessible technology. I hope that this litigation results in
my agency complying with its legal obligations and allowing me and
other federal employees who are blind to serve the American people."
Mr. Leiterman is represented in this matter by Joseph B. Espo of the
Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP.

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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.  We need your support.  To make a donation,
please go to <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.