I should mention that this and the Bloomberg story that preceded it were
made available courtesy of America Online.  If this case is taken to trial
and blind people prevail, it might be the first case that would establish
that the ADA applies to businesses that strictly operate in cyberspace.

kelly

   AOL Sued by Federation of the Blind

   The Associated Press
   Thursday, November 4 1999 05:52 PM EST

   BOSTON (AP) - The National Federation of the Blind filed a federal
   lawsuit against America Online Thursday, accusing the world's largest
   Internet service of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

   The federation charged that AOL, unlike other Internet service
   providers, is incompatible with software programs that convert text to
   audio or Braille.

   ``They're getting lots of complaints,'' said Daniel Goldstein, an
   attorney for the nine blind members of the Massachusetts chapter of
   the federation who brought lawsuit. ``It's been nine years since the
   Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted. Patience has begun to
   flag.''

   Lawyers for the plaintiffs are arguing that AOL violates parts of the
   law that require equal access to public accommodations. Federal courts
   have ruled that an accommodation can be a service, Goldstein said.

   Rich D'Amato, a spokesman for AOL, said one of the company's
   priorities is to make the Internet more accessible to disabled people.

   The next version of AOL's software, to be introduced next year, will
   include features that will make it more user-friendly for blind
   people, D'Amato said, including a feature allowing members to get
   e-mail messages by telephone.

   The federation argued that the technology already exists to redesign
   AOL's Internet service to permit accessibility by the blind, and asked
   the court to order a redesign.

   ``Despite our best efforts, though, AOL has steadfastly refused to
   modify its software in order to ensure compatibility with screen
   access technology for the blind,'' said Curtis Chong, the federation's
   director of technology.


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