Print this page

Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 10 seconds

Block Settles Disability Suit

HR BlockH&R Block has agreed to provide access to its website and mobile applications to those with disabilities. If approved, the agreement will close legal action brought against the tax services giant by the U.S. Civil Rights Division that alleged the company technology was designed so "that individuals with disabilities are denied full and equal enjoyment of largely tax-preparation focused goods and services that are provided through H&R Block's website and mobile applications."

The consent decree was agreed to by Block subsidiaries, HRB Digital LLC and HRB Tax Group Inc. The decrease awaits final approval by the .S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The suit alleges Block did not code its website in a way to provide access to those with vision, hearing and physical disabilities.

The suit was originally filed by the National Federal of the Blind which sought enforcement of Title III of the American with Disabilities action. There were also two individual plaintiffs participating before the case was joined by Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts

The plaintiffs said technology had been available for decades to provide access and pointed to international industry standards for web accessibility, known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, which can be found online. The suit also noted other tools available include screen reader software, refreshable Braille displays, keyboard navigation and captioning

Read 4122 times
Rate this item
(0 votes)