Case: Bank of America California and Florida Agreement

NA | No Court

Filed Date: 2000

Closed Date: 2000

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 2000, attorneys representing blind and visually impaired persons entered into structured negotiations with Bank of America. On March 14, 2000, the parties entered into a settlement agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bank of America agreed to make its ATMs in California and Florida talk so that blind people could use them. The bank also agreed to make its website blind-accessible. This was the first time a bank agreed to put talking ATMs in more than one state and the first time a bank agreed to make its website blind-accessible.

Addendums to this agreement were signed in September 2001 and July 2006. These addendums expanded Bank of America's responsibility, and the bank agreed to install talking ATMs nationwide, bringing 100% of American Express-owned machines in line with the blind-accessible agreement. As of the time of this summary, Bank of America is in the process of accomplishing this.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (5/12/2009)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Dardarian, Linda M. (California)

Eichner, Stan (Massachusetts)

Feingold, Lainey [Elaine] (California)

Mayerson, Arlene Brynne (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Wagner, Arne (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Settlement Agreement

March 14, 2000

March 14, 2000

Settlement Agreement

September 2001 Addendum to the Settlement Agreement

Sept. 1, 2001

Sept. 1, 2001

Settlement Agreement

Bank of America National Press Release

Oct. 4, 2001

Oct. 4, 2001

Press Release

July 2006 Addendum to Settlement Agreements

July 1, 2006

July 1, 2006

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:34 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: 2000

Closing Date: 2000

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

individuals who are blind or vision-impaired and who currently have, had, or would like to have one or more bank accounts with Bank of America or would like to use Bank of America Automated Teller Machines ("ATMs") via a network system

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)

Law Office of Lainey Feingold

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Bank of America, Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Order Duration: 2000 - None