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Alternative Format Settlements
TCF Bank Talking ATM and Alternative Formats Settlement
The TCF Bank Settlement Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and co-counsel Amy Peterson of the Chicago-based Equip for Equality using Structured Negotiations on behalf of the Illinois Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind and a blind TCF customer. In the Agreement, TCF began a Talking ATM and alternative format program in all states in which it does business. The bank will install over 300 Talking ATMs by the end of 2009.
Accessible Credit Reports Agreement
The accessible credit reports agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian on behalf of the American Council of the Blind, the California Council of the Blind and blind individuals Paul Parravano, Lucy Greco and Lori Gray. In the Agreement, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion agreed to provide credit reports that are accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired. On-line reports will meet standards established by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium, and credit reports will be made available in Braille, Large Print, and on audio CD.
La Salle Final Agreement
The LaSalle Final Settlement Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and co-counsel Amy Peterson of the Chicago-based Equip for Equality using Structured Negotiations on behalf of the Metropolitan Chicago affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. In the Agreement, LaSalle institute a Talking ATM and alternative format program in all states in which it operated and agreed to upgrade its website to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) promulgated by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium.
American Express Braille and Large Print Agreement
The American Express Braille Settlement Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian using Structured Negotiations on behalf of Paul Parravano and Clarence Whaley. In the Agreement, American Express agreed to provide monthly credit card statements and year end summaries in Braille and Large Print for all American Express customers in the United States.
Bank One Final Agreement
The Bank One Final Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian using Structured Negotiations on behalf of blind advocates Kelly Pierce and Anna Byrne. In the Agreement, Bank One (now Chase) agreed to install 1,500 Talking ATMs, institute a national alternative formats policy, and upgrade its website to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) promulgated by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium. As of March, 2008, Chase Bank, the successor to Bank One, had over 9,000 Talking ATMs.
First Union Final ATM, Web and Alternative Format Agreement
This settlement agreement is the second First Union agreement negotiated by Lainey and Linda Dardarian using Structured Negotiations on behalf of representatives of the blind community in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Tom Earle, formerly with the Disabilities Law Project in Philadelphia, now known as the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, also represented the Claimants. In the initial First Union agreement, the bank began its Talking ATM roll-out. In this agreement, First Union, subsequently purchased by Wachovia, expanded its Talking ATM commitment, agreed to make its website accessible, and adopted a comprehensive alternative format policy. As of early 2008, Wachovia has thousands of Talking ATMs throughout the United States.