November 8, 2016
Judge Mark G. Mastroianni of the District Court of Massachusetts denied Massachusetts Institute for Technology's (MIT) and Harvard University's motions to dismiss the National Association of the Deaf's (NAD) and other named plaintiffs' complaint that the institution discriminates against deaf and hard of hearing people by failing to caption the vast and varied array of online content they make available to the general public, including massive open online courses (MOOCs). Today's decision affirms that plaintiffs' case will be going forward.
DREDF and Allies Submit Comments on Website Accessibility
October 21, 2016
On October 7, 2016, in response to the U.S. Department of Justice's Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rule regarding Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government, DREDF has signed onto comments submitted by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB); National Association of the Deaf (NAD); National Disability Rights Network; and Paralyzed Veterans of America, among others. The comments emphasize that the internet has become a fundamental part of every day life, and state and local government websites must remove the serious barriers facing people with disabilities in accessing critical government information online.
Good News on NAD vs MIT! Our Communication Access Case Involving Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) Will Move Forward
February 9, 2016
The Massachusetts District Court rejected MIT's motions for a stay and to dismiss NAD's lawsuit. The ruling also ensured plaintiffs will not have to wait the Department of Justice to issue regulations regarding website accessibility. The court recognized that MIT's and, implicitly, other universities' online education courses, are subject to broad Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act protections, and can be required to provide equal access to people with disabilities. [...]
Google: Focus on People with Disabilities
October 12, 2015
Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities A project of Google.org
"We know and you all know that technology can completely change and transform the quality of life for every individual out there." - Adrienne Biddings, Google Policy Council in Washington D.C.
National Federation of the Blind Reaches Agreement with U.S. Department of Education
October 8, 2014
The agreement commits the DOE and its contracted student loan servicers to make websites, forms, and documents related to its Direct Loan program accessible to blind applicants and borrowers. NFB was represented by DREDF and Brown, Goldstein & Levy.
Netflix Press Release – June 19, 2012
June 19, 2012
Judge Denies Netflix’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and Allows Disability Civil Rights Case, National Association of the Deaf, et al. v. Netflix, Case No. 3:11-cv-30168, to Move Forward
DREDF Investigating Public Benefits Website Access
March 27, 2012
We need your help to ensure accessibility of three important websites!
Health Information Technology
February 25, 2011
While we were disappointed that accessibility standards were not included in HHS’s July 2010 final rule establishing stage 1 “meaningful use,” we are encouraged by the Department’s inclusion of disability specific questions in its latest request for comments. We strongly urge the Department to adopt explicit accessible information technology standards within stages 2 and 3 MU to both improve health outcomes for all patients with sensory, cognitive or mobility limitations, and to ensure that a technological system that has been mandated to reduce health disparities does not in itself act to replicate and deepen the disparities experienced by people with disabilities.