Case: Fleet Bank Final Talking ATM Agreement

NA | No Court

Filed Date: 2001

Closed Date: 2007

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 2000, attorneys representing blind and visually impaired people entered into structured negotiations with Fleet Bank on the subject of accommodations that would make it easier for the plaintiffs to use the public equipment owned by the bank. On February 28, 2001, the parties entered into a settlement agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, the bank agreed to install Talking ATMs, give blind people braille bank statements, and make its website accessible to blind and visually impaired persons. As a result, Fleet Bank installed the first talking ATMs in Massachusetts.

In June 2003, the parties entered into a supplemental agreement. Under this document, the bank agreed to install Talking ATMs at all of its locations. The bank also agreed to give blind people headphones for the talking ATMs. Fleet was later bought by Bank of America, a bank with more than 11,000 Talking ATMs, in 2008.

The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (5/16/2009)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Alper, Jane K. (Massachusetts)

Eichner, Stanley J. (Missouri)

Feingold, Lainey [Elaine] (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Klivans, Robert L. (Massachusetts)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Agreement

Feb. 28, 2001

Feb. 28, 2001

Settlement Agreement

June 2003 Supplement to Settlement Agreement

June 3, 2003

June 3, 2003

Settlement Agreement

Docket

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

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: 2001

Closing Date: 2007

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

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

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

Law Office of Lainey Feingold

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Fleet National Bank (Boston), 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: 2001 - 2007