Blind User Sues Southwest Over Web Site, Cites ADA

scubacuda writes "According to Law.com, Robert Gumson, a blind man who uses a program that converts website content into speech, is suing Southwest Airlines (with the help of Miami Beach, FL-based Access Now) for its website being incompatible with his screen-reader program. The case has been filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act under the untested legal theory that ADA provisions on the accessibility of public accommodations to the disabled apply to Internet Web sites just as they do to brick-and-mortar facilities like movie theaters and department stores. There have been previous lawsuits alleging that the ADA applies to the Internet, but all have settled without a ruling on the merits: 1999 the National Federation of the Blind sued AOL alleging its service was inaccessible to blind users (AOL agreed to make its sites compatible with screen reader technology); over the past two years, Access Now has sued Barnes & Noble and Claire's Stores for maintaining Web sites that allegedly violated the ADA (both settled)."

i have a question

[inteller]

what if I write a website that shows one thing, but spits out text telling the blind person something else. Namely, what if I setup blindpeoplehelp.com and it have pictures of chicks with dicks? can't wait to see the blind person in the library with this one.

Interesting

[TheRealFixer]

I wouldn't be surprised if he wins. I mean, the ADA is the reason you find braile on ATM machines... when they still can't read the stupid screen!

He'll win, and before long, every commercial website will have to be made compatable with the ADA.

Re:Legal wrangling

[procrustes]

Presumably, the same way you tell the difference between high traffic commercial buildings and (for instance), my house.

This is getting ridiculous!

[OmenChange]

I just have one thing to say to people whose screen reader software can't read this post and are offended enough to sue:

er....

Oh wait, nevermind.

Re:Interesting

[meta-monkey]

Funnier still, there's braile on the keys at the at the drive-up ATM, too.

Re:Interesting

[TheRealFixer]

Heh... if blind drivers are trying to use ATM machines, I'd think the bank has a bigger problem than ADA compliance.

That doesn't go far enough

[SexyKellyOsbourne]

The blind are not only entitled to an easy-to-access website, they should also not be discriminated against becoming air traffic controllers and yes, even pilots!

Australia, along with other socialist paradises like Canada and Europe, are way ahead of us -- just look at the link below!

Daily Telegraph: Blind, disabled 'should be able to fly' [news.com.au]

sounds to me

[Anonymous Coward]

that what this guy really needs is a better seeing eye dog.

Re:Just wondering

[kingofnopants]

Fourteen.

Do Porn Sites Have to Be ADA Compliant too...?

[Ron Bennett]

How would porn sites comply with this??

Porn in braille...is there such a thing?

Ron

Re:I think the answer is easy

[Jotham]

Southwest needs to offer a special service especially for blind people that caters to this demand by dealing with everything audibly and removing the need for visuals all together... ideally this system would not only deliver infomation via voice but also accept vocal requests and queries.

I believe some other companies have experimented with similiar systems, which they've dubbed 'call centres'.

That's not all...

[One Louder]

Those bastards at SouthWest don't hire visually impaired pilots either.

Re:Interesting

[GigsVT]

The bank of america ATMs can already talk... and post on Slashdot! Don't you ever read at -1? :)

Re:Yet another thing to think about

[iapetus]

Yes, damnit. If this carries on we might actually have to value content over style! Won't somebody please think of the web designers?

Re:Doesn't answer the question

[IpalindromeI]

It would be nice if you'd make your 3D game accessible. I've often wanted to play Quake with my eyes closed, and it would be nice for some audible clues. For example:
"VISOR AT 3 OCLOCK."
"SARGE RUNS BEHIND THE WALL."
"VISOR SWITCHES TO RAILGUN."
"YOU SHOULD TURN LEFT AND SHOOT NOW."
"SARGE SHOOTS YOU IN THE NUTS WITH THE SHOTGUN."
"TOO LATE."

I think you can see my point.

Re:Legal wrangling

[woogieoogieboogie]

"However, putting braille on the wall to display a list of the movies has been a waste of money. No one uses it."

No shit.

Re:I have a disability...

[pangloss]

If you had six fingers...

If you have six fingers, I know a certain Spaniard who is looking for you.

Re:I think the answer is easy

[Dyolf Knip]

I still have to crank up IE every now and then because someone designed a webpage that Opera (and likely every other browser in existence) can't handle. Can I sue them too since they are not catering to my special needs and forcing me to utilize some other means that is cumbersome, time consuming, and comparatively dangerous? After all, "people who don't/can't use IE" is probably a demographic comparable in size to the "visually impaired who use readers" one.