Rulings, Filings, and Letters

The National Federation of the Blind's legal actions since 2007 are summarized below and organized into the following categories: 

• Access to Information
• Blind Parents
• Blind Prisoners
• Higher Education
• K-12 Education
• Employment
• High-Stakes Testing
• Travel
• Voting

To obtain a filing not included below, please contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at 410-659-9314, extension 2440, or vyingling@nfb.org.

Access to Information

UNC Health Care and Nash UNC Health Care

• December 3, 2018, National Federation of the Blind and Disability Rights North Carolina Sue UNC Health Care and Nash UNC Health Care

Walmart

• October 26, 2018, Walmart Sued by Blind Maryland Residents over Self-Service Checkout Kiosks

Container Store

• September 19, 2018, Appeals Court Rejects Container Store’s Hide-the-Contract Tricks

Boeing Employees’ Credit Union

• June 4, 2018, The Blind Will Soon Be Able to Bank with BECU through Mobile and Online Banking

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

• April 20, 2018, Medicare Information to Become Accessible to Blind Beneficiaries
• April 20, 2018, NFB-CMS Settlement Agreement

Applebee's

• January 9, 2018, New Accessibility Features Coming to PrestoPrime EMV System

Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District

• October 18, 2017, Blind School Board Member has Settled with School District

Social Security Administration

• August 28, 2017, The National Federation of the Blind and Two Blind Individuals File Lawsuit against SSA for Lack of Accessible Kiosks

LinkNYC

• January 31, 2017, Access to the Blind Ensured at LinkNYC Communication Network
• January 25, 2017, NFB-CityBridge Settlement Agreement
• July 28, 2016, LinkNYC Discriminates against Blind New Yorkers and Visitors

Pursuant Health Kiosks

• July 27, 2016, AG Healey and National Federation of the Blind Announce Agreement to Make Health Care Kiosks Accessible to Blind Consumers
• Restated Accessibility Plan

Ohio Secretary of State’s Voting Services

• November 14, 2017, We Look Forward to Going Back to Court and Fighting for the Rights of Blind Voters
• December 8, 2015, Disability Rights Ohio Lawsuit Claims Ohio Secretary of State’s Voting Services Violate the ADA

Scribd

• November 19, 2015, National Federation of the Blind and Scribd Agree to Collaborate to Make Reading Subscription Service Accessible to the Blind
• March 20, 2015, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Ruling in Scribd Case
• July 29, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Files Suit against Scribd

Verifone

• July 20, 2015, National Federation of the Blind and Verifone Collaborate to Make Taxicab Terminals Accessible

The Container Store

• July 20, 2015, Lawsuit Filed Today Alleges the Container Store Discriminates against the Blind

PetSmart

• April 22, 2015, PetSmart Accused of Discrimination against the Blind in New Civil Suit

Cardtronics

• February 2015, Notice of Proposed Amended and Restated Class Action Settlement and Hearing to Be Held on May 7, 2015
• November 24, 2014, Cardtronics Establishes Accessibility Center of Excellence
• December 19, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Secures Court Ruling against Cardtronics
• July 2010, NFB-Cardtronics Settlement Agreement
• June 27, 2007, National Federation of the Blind and Massachusetts Reach Agreement with Nation’s Largest ATM Deployer

Peapod

• November 21, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Department of Justice Settlement with Peapod

U.S. Department of Education Student Loans

• October 8, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Reaches Agreement with U.S. Department of Education

Small Business Administration

• June 16, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Business Owner Resolve Enforcement Action with Small Business Administration
• July 22, 2009, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Business Owner File Complaint with Small Business Administration

eBay

• June 12, 2014, eBay and the National Federation of the Blind Team to Optimize Accessibility of Site, Apps
• March 19, 2012, eBay and National Federation of the Blind Partner to Increase Ecommerce Job Opportunities

HathiTrust

• June 10, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Ruling in Authors Guild v. HathiTrust
• November 14, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Ruling in Authors Guild v. Google
• October 11, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Court Ruling

RideCharge

• April 2, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and Four Blind People File Suit against RideCharge, Inc. and Three Taxicab Companies in California

H&R Block

• March 25, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and H&R Block Announce Agreement Assuring Accessibility
• April 8, 2013, National Federation of the Blind and Two Blind Taxpayers File Suit against H&R Block

U.S. Department of Transportation

• January 22, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Sues Department of Transportation Over Airline Regulations
• November 6, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Disappointed in New DOT Access Rules

Monster.com

• January 30, 2013, Monster.com First in Industry to Make Website Accessible for Blind Users

Free Library of Philadelphia

• October 23, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Settlement with Free Library of Philadelphia
• May 2, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Assists in Litigation against Free Library of Philadelphia

Sacramento Public Library

• August 30, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Settles Complaint against Sacramento Public Library

U.S. Department of State

• June 27, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint against State Department

Ticketmaster

• April 26, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Announces Agreement with Ticketmaster

McCarran International Airport

• March 30, 2011, McCarran International Airport Discriminates against Blind Passengers

Google Books

• March 22, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Comments on Rejection of Google Books Settlement
• February 18, 2010, National Federation of the Blind Supports Google Settlement in Court
• November 18, 2009, National Federation of the Blind Commends Parties to Google Settlement
• September 10, 2009, National Federation of the Blind Endorses Google Books Settlement before Congress
• October 31, 2008, Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers Will Have Positive Results for the Blind

Travelocity

• January 17, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Announces Agreement with Travelocity

U.S.A. Learns

• October 27, 2009, National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint with United States Department of Education

Apple iTunes

• September 26, 2008, National Federation of the Blind and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Announce Agreement with Apple to Make iTunes Fully Accessible

Target

• August 27, 2008, National Federation of the Blind and Target Agree to Class Action Settlement
• January 2, 2008, National Federation of the Blind Lawsuit Addressing Web Accessibility Will Proceed
• October 3, 2007, Court Ruling Says California Disabled Rights Law Applies to the Web
• September 7, 2006, Legal Precedent Set For Web Accessibility

Blind Parents

Missouri’s Department of Social Services

• July 22, 2010, National Federation of the Blind Successful in Returning Infant to Her Parents

Blind Prisoners

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services

• June 5, 2019, Maryland Settles Discrimination Case by Blind Inmates for $1.4 Million
• June 5, 2019, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Settlement Agreement and Exhibit 1

Higher Education

ACS Exams

• December 12, 2018, Letter to Chemistry Department Directors and Chairs

Southern Oregon University

• March 15, 2017, Resolution Agreement

Miami University

• October 17, 2016, Blind Student Aleeha Dudley and US Department of Justice Resolve Miami University of Ohio Discrimination Case
• January 13, 2014, Blind Student Files Discrimination Suit against Miami University

Wichita State University

• August 16, 2016, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Student Reach Agreement with Wichita State University

Atlantic Cape Community College

• June 1, 2015, National Federation of the Blind and Two Blind Students Resolve Complaint against Atlantic Cape Community College
• April 15, 2014, National Federation of the Blind: Atlantic Cape Community College Discriminates against Blind Student, Bans Him from Freely Accessing Campus

edX

• April 2, 2015, National Federation of the Blind Applauds DOJ Settlement with edX

Maricopa Community College District

• October 23, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and Maricopa Community College District Resolve Litigation
• May 22, 2012, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Student File Suit against Maricopa Community College District

Palmer College of Chiropractic

• June 27, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Historic Iowa Supreme Court Decision
• November 4, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Comments on Iowa Supreme Court Case Regarding Blind People Entering the Chiropractic Medicine Field

University of Montana

• March 19, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Groundbreaking Agreement on Equal Access in Higher Education

Louisiana Tech

• July 24, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Praises DOJ Settlement with Louisiana Tech

Florida State University

• March 6, 2012, Florida State University Resolves Litigation with Students
• June 29, 2011, Blind Students Sue Florida State University for Discrimination

Penn State

• October 11, 2011, National Federation of the Blind and Penn State Resolve Accessibility Complaint
• November 12, 2010, Penn State Discriminates against Blind Students and Faculty

California Law Schools

• June 9, 2010, Law Schools Discriminate against Blind Applicants

Nine Prominent Law Schools

• May 5, 2010, Law Schools Discriminate against Blind Applicants

Arizona State University

• January 11, 2010, Blindness Organizations and Arizona State University Resolve Litigation over Kindle
• June 25, 2009, National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind File Discrimination Suit against Arizona State University

K-12 Education

US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

• May 31, 2018, Disturbing Developments at the Department of Education

Douglas County School District

• March 23, 2017, National Federation of the Blind Comments on United States Supreme Court Decision Regarding Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Seattle Public Schools

• September 24, 2015, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Agreement with Seattle Public Schools
• August 21, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Supports Blind Mother’s Suit against Seattle Public Schools

Oceanport Board of Education

• May 7, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Applauds New Jersey Ruling on Braille Instruction for Blind Child

Baltimore City Public Schools

• January 4, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint against Baltimore City Public Schools

Maryland Department of Education

• July 29, 2009, National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint with Maryland Department of Education

Employment

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health 

• May 16, 2019, Blind Employee Sues Los Angeles County for Discrimination
• May 13, 2019, Watson v. Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

AbilityOne

• September 26, 2018, National Federation of the Blind Sues US AbilityOne Commission

Mercy Medical Center

• July 26, 2018, Blind Woman Sues California Hospital for Employment Discrimination

Epic Systems Corporation

• July 18, 2018, National Federation of the Blind Files Discrimination Complaint with MCAD

Express Employment Professionals

• July 11, 2018, Express Employment Professionals Makes Testing Accessible to Blind Job Seekers

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

• April 23, 2018, Equal Treatment in the Workplace Means Equal Access to Technology

UCO Industries and Honda of America

• December 15, 2017, Sheltered Workshop and Honda of America Manufacturing Sued for Disability Discrimination

Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services

• February 29, 2016, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Jury Verdict for Montgomery County Woman
• April 13, 2011, Montgomery County Discriminates against Blind Employee

Seneca Re-Ad

• November 19, 2015, Disability Rights Ohio and Other Advocates File Complaint on Behalf of Sheltered Workshop Employees

Social Security Administration

• November 11, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Praises Social Security Class Action Settlement
• August 24, 2009, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Social Security Beneficiary File Complaint with Social Security Administration

Henry’s Turkey Service

• May 2, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Comments on Verdict against Henry’s Turkey Service
• April 2, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Applauds DOJ Motion to Intervene in Sheltered Workshop Case

Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection

• March 27, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Assists Federal Employee Experiencing Discrimination

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway

• July 25, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Supports Blind Machinist in Employment Discrimination Suit against Railroad

New Jersey State Agencies

• May 31, 2011, National Federation of the Blind: New Jersey State Agencies Discriminate against Blind Employees

New York State Crime Victims Board

• November 13, 2008, Blind New York State Employee Unable to Perform Job Due to Inaccessible Software

Arkansas Administrative Statewide Information System

• August 11, 2008, National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas Agrees to Settlement of Lawsuit over Accessibility of Software to Blind State Employees

High-Stakes Testing

Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards

• February 28, 2017, National Federation of the Blind Assists Blind Woman in Litigation against Massage and Body Work Licensing Authority

PARCC, Inc.

• February 24, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Settlement with PARCC, Inc.
• January 24, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and Parents of Blind Child File Suit to Make K-12 Assessments Accessible

National Conference of Bar Examiners

• October 26, 2011, Federal Judge Issues Permanent Legal Resolution for Blind Law School Graduate Who Paved the Way for Blind Test Takers
• July 5, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Supports Lawsuit against National Conference of Bar Examiners
• January 5, 2011, Federal Appeals Court Upholds Blind Woman’s Right to Use Technology to Take Professional Examinations
• June 2, 2010, National Conference of Bar Examiners Discriminates against Blind Law School Graduates
• February 5, 2010, Federal Judge Orders the National Conference of Bar Examiners to Provide Individualized Testing Accommodations to Blind Law School Graduate

Law School Admissions Council

• April 26, 2011, National Federation of the Blind and Law School Admissions Council Agree to Settlement
• February 19, 2009, LSAC Discriminates against Blind Law School Applicants

Travel

Greyhound

• July 17, 2018, Greyhound Website and Mobile App to Become More Accessible to Blind Users
• July 9, 2018, Explanation of Terms Regarding the Accessibility of Greyhound’s Website and Online Technology
• June 12, 2017, Blind Californians and Advocates Sue Greyhound

Lyft

• April 3, 2017, Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind Announce Comprehensive Accessibility Improvements for Lyft Riders Who Travel with Service Animals
• May 8, 2017, National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing Program: Organization to Monitor Uber, Lyft Efforts to Accommodate Service Animals
• January 13, 2017, NFB-Lyft Settlement Agreement and Addendum

Uber

• April 30, 2016, Groundbreaking Settlement to End Discrimination against Blind Uber Riders Who Use Guide Dogs
• April 20, 2016, NFB-Uber Settlement Agreement

United Airlines

• October 25, 2010, United Airlines Discriminates against Blind Passengers

Voting

Alameda County

• November 2, 2018, Alameda County Will Make Voting More Accessible to the Blind
• November 1, 2018, Alameda County Settlement Agreement

New York State Board of Elections

• June 9, 2016, National Federation of the Blind and Others Sue New York over Inaccessible Online Voter Registration for People with Disabilities

Ohio Secretary of State

• January 19, 2018, Ohio Requires Accessible Absentee Ballots for the Blind
• December 8, 2015, Disability Rights Ohio Lawsuit Claims Ohio Secretary of State’s Voting Services Violate the ADA

Maryland State Board of Elections

• September 4, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Ruling on Access to Absentee Ballots