Case: Wells Fargo Iowa and Utah Agreement

N/A | No Court

Filed Date: 2002

Closed Date: 2003

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In January 2002, the Utah Council of the Blind and the Iowa Council of the Blind (the Claimants) entered a settlement agreement with Wells Fargo & Company, concerning the accessibility of ATMs to blind users. The Claimants alleged that Wells Fargo's network of ATMs were largely inaccessible to blind and visually impaired users, in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. §§ 12181, et seq.) The parties reached the settlement through a process of structured n…

In January 2002, the Utah Council of the Blind and the Iowa Council of the Blind (the Claimants) entered a settlement agreement with Wells Fargo & Company, concerning the accessibility of ATMs to blind users. The Claimants alleged that Wells Fargo's network of ATMs were largely inaccessible to blind and visually impaired users, in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. §§ 12181, et seq.) The parties reached the settlement through a process of structured negotiations, rather than litigating the issue in court.

Although it denied any wrongdoing and that it violated the ADA, Wells Fargo agreed in the settlement that it would have at least ten "talking" ATMs in Utah and ten in Iowa by the effective date of the settlement, and at least 75 in Iowa and 196 in Utah by the end of 2002. These ATMs support the use of an audio headset, making them accessible to blind and visually impaired patrons. By March 31, Wells Fargo agreed that the Talking ATMs would offer substantially the same services available as non-talking ATMs installed at the same locations, including support for Spanish audio output. Wells Fargo also agreed to train its employees on the use of the Talking ATMs.

The parties agreed to have further negotiations regarding further accommodations and the installation of additional Talking ATMs at some point between January 1 and March 31 of 2003.

Wells Fargo also agreed to begin waiving fees for the use of its 24-hour telephone banking services system for its customers with visual impairments.

Summary Authors

Alex Colbert-Taylor (6/14/2013)

Related Cases

Wells Fargo California Talking ATM and Alternative Format Agreement, No Court (1999)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Dardarian, Linda M. (California)

Feingold, Lainey [Elaine] (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Settlement Agreement

Wells Fargo Iowa and Utah Agreement

Jan. 14, 2002

Jan. 14, 2002

Settlement Agreement

Wells Fargo Utah Talking ATM Press Release

Wells Fargo Iowa and Utah Agreement

Jan. 16, 2002

Jan. 16, 2002

Press Release

Wells Fargo Iowa Press Release

Jan. 16, 2002

Jan. 16, 2002

Press Release

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:27 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Iowa

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: 2002

Closing Date: 2003

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The Utah Council of the Blind and the Iowa Council of the Blind.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Law Office of Lainey Feingold

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Wells Fargo, Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Bank or credit provider

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: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Order Duration: 2002 - 2003

Content of Injunction:

Reasonable Accommodation

Reporting

Goals (e.g., for hiring, admissions)

Issues

General:

Access to public accommodations - privately owned

Disability and Disability Rights:

ATM Machines

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable Modifications

Screen readers and similar accessibility devices

Visual impairment

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Impact

Discrimination-basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

Type of Facility:

Non-government for-profit