Press Releases
National Association of the Deaf v. Netflix, Inc.
June 16, 2011
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the nation's premier civil rights organization of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, announced the filing of a major federal lawsuit against Netflix in U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, Western Division in Springfield, MA. The lawsuit charges the entertainment giant with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide closed captioning for most of its "Watch Instantly" movies and television streamed on the Internet.
American Council of the Blind v. Michael Astrue, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, et al.
October 20, 2009
Judge William Alsup of the US District Court, Northern District of California in San Francisco, granted final judgment in favor of the Plaintiff classes under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). The Court ruled that by April 15, 2010, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must provide blind and visually impaired SSI recipients, retirement benefits recipients and representative payees a choice of receiving notices and other communications in the alternative formats of Braille, navigable Microsoft Word CDs, or a telephone call from an SSA representative. The agency is also required to take steps to notify class members of these alternative format options, as well as class members’ right under Section 504 to request any other alternative format in accordance with procedures set forth under regulations enacted under Section 504.
This ruling signals a major victory for the disability rights movement, and it sets precedent for the obligations of other federal and state agencies to provide alternative formats and effective communication to people who are blind or have visual impairments, and to notify such individuals of their rights under federal law.
Nurse Organizations Seek To Overturn Accord Providing California Students With Diabetes With Access To Insulin
November 13, 2008
The California Department of Education (CDE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) will be in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday, November 14, 2008, seeking to preserve their 2007 agreement that permits trained non-medical school personnel to administer insulin to children with diabetes when nurses are not available.
Read DREDF's press release regarding the November 14, 2008 hearing.
US District Court Judge William Alsup Approves Laguna Honda Hospital Settlement
September 18, 2008
Judge William Alsup of the US District Court for the Northern District of California approved the settlement agreement in the civil rights class action filed to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco,Chambers et al. v. City and County of San Francisco. The settlement will greatly increase community-based housing and service options in San Francisco as well as improve coordination of care.
Press Release regarding the final settlement agreement in Chambers et al. v. City and County of San Francisco. (September 2008)
Order granting approval of Chambers Settlement Agreement
US District Court Judge William Alsup grants plaintiffs' motion for class certification
September 11, 2008
Judge William Alsup of the US District Court for the Northern District of California granted class certification in a disability rights action in which plaintiffs argue that the Social Security Administration (SSA) fails to provide its communications in alternative formats that would enable people with visual impairments to have equal access to SSA programs as required by federal disability civil rights laws and the US Constitution.
Press Release in American Council of the Blind v. Astrue, et al. (September 2008)
Judge Alsup's Order Granting Class Certification (September 2008)
A class action lawsuit against Burger King alleging disability access violations was filed in federal court.
September 10, 2008
DREDF and co-counsel filed a class action lawsuit against Burger KIng for violations of state and federal civil rights disability access laws in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. The suit asks Burger King to remove the barriers in their stores and fix their discriminatory practices.
The Lead attorney on the case is Bill Lann Lee, who was Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the Clinton administration and is now with Lewis, Feinberg, Lee, Renaker & Jackson in Oakland. Also representing the plaintiffs are Fox & Robertson of Denver, and the law offices of Mari Mayeda and Antonio Lawson.
Read the press release in Castaneda v. Burger King Corp.
A federal court ruling states that the Social Security Administration must accommodate blind beneficiaries.
April 23, 2008
Judge William Alsup of the US District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the US Social Security Administration (SSA) must accommodate the real and legitimate needs of people with visual impairments who receive benefits from SSA. The agency is required under the Rehabilitation Act and the due process clause, the ruling states, to provide communications in formats that are accessible to these beneficiaries.
A preliminary settlement in the civil rights class action lawsuit will increase housing and services for San Francisco residents with disabilities.
November 27, 2007
Plaintiffs and the City and County of San Francisco announced the preliminary settlement of Chambers et al v. City & County of San Francisco. The results will be improved coordination of care and greatly increased housing options and other services. Read a summary of the Settlement Agreement.
Children with Diabetes win Assurance of Legally Required Services at School
August 8, 2007
A landmark agreement between the California Department of Education and the American Diabetes Association will ensure California students who are classified as disabled because of diabetes will be safe at school.
Laguna Honda Residents Sue San Francisco for Discrimination
October 13, 2006
Residents of Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco, the nation's largest public nursing home, have filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that they are unnecessarily confined at the facility and are capable of living in their own homes or in the community, a claim supported by the 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead decision.
December 13, 2005
24 Hour Fitness Welcomes Patrons with Disabilities
Leading Gym Chain Confirms Philosophy: "Fitness A Way of Life for Everyone"
November 16, 2005
Blind Beneficiaries Sue Social Security Administration - SSA Fails To Provide Accessible Communications
October 11, 2005
Unprecedented Class Action Civil Rights Complaint Filed in Federal Court. Children with Diabetes Sue School Districts, State for Assistance; Denial of Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Administration During the School Day Challenged.
June 24, 2003
The Individuals with disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the most important civil rights law ever passed for children with disabilities in the United States. Congress is reauthorizing IDEA this year. The Senate bill, S. 1248, will be introduced in the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee on June 25, 2003.
March 6, 2003
Florida's Disability Voucher Program Fails to Protect Interests of Students, Parents and Taxpayers
December 18, 2003
Advocates cheer progress toward community services for San Franciscans with Disabilities. Judge Saundra B. Armstrong preliminarily approved settlement of Davis, et al. vs. California Health and Human Services Agency, et al., one of the most important cases seeking community integration of people with disabilities pursuant to the U.S. Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead decision.
May 22, 2002
California Supreme Court Confirms Broad Reach of Disability Rights Laws State Law Definition of Physical Disability More Expansive Than Federal ADA A lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, May 22, 2002, alleging that Walgreen Co., one of the nation's largest drug store chains, discriminates against customers with mobility impairments, including persons who use wheelchairs.
January 28, 2002
August 27, 2001
Disability Rights Lawsuit Against Oakland Taxi Company Friendly Cab Company Refuses to Pick Up Passengers with Guide Dogs.
July 14, 2001
Judge Says Laguna Honda Residents Can Sue City Of San Francisco
February 21, 2001
Civil Rights Advocates Decry Supreme Court Decision. The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF), the country's leading disability civil rights organization, expressed dismay at today's Supreme Court decision limiting the enforcement of Title I of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.
July 13, 2000
Class-Action Lawsuit Demands Real Homes, Not Nursing Homes. Laguna Honda Hospital Residents Sue for Right to Live in Community
September 13, 2000
Good News Ahead for Amtrak Thruway Bus Passengers in California. Voluntary Agreement Reached in Americans with Disabilities Act Lawsuit
July 15, 2000
California, Florida to Get First Bank of America Talking ATMs. Largest U.S. Bank to Install more than 2,500
Feburary 23, 2000
DREDF Government Affairs Director to Receive the George Bush Medal.
Feburary 23, 2000
President Bush to Award Bush Medal to Six Ada Advocates at February 24 Luncheon in Houston.
January 4, 2000
November 9, 1999
October 20, 1999
California Council of The Blind Announces Nation's First "Talking Touchscreen ATMs" At Citibank.
April 28 1999
February 16,1999
National Agreement Reached to Improve Accessibility at Stations Owned by Chevron.
September 11, 1998
August 6, 1998
January 1, 1998
November 12, 1997
