Filed Date: 2010
Closed Date: 2011
Clearinghouse coding complete
Claimants, nonprofits representing the interest of the visually impaired, sent a letter to Best Buy claiming that the electronics retailer failed to comply with various federal and state disability access statutes. Keypads used on the point of sale devices (credit card readers) at Best Buy stores featured only a digital screen, which is impossible to read for many of the visually impaired. As a result, customers were forced to tell the cashier their Personal Identification Number (PIN), resulting in significant privacy and security issues. Best Buy informed claimants that they intended to fix the issue and entered into negotiations to reach that goal.
Following negotiations, Best Buy entered into a settlement agreement in 2010, under which it agreed to begin to install tactile keypads on their point of sale devices in all stores across the country. Functioning like a telephone keypad, these new devices will allow the visually impaired to keep their PIN private. Each store will be equipped with a number of the keypads, depending on store size, and sufficient staff trained in their use.
Summary Authors
Abe Hiatt (2/17/2013)
Dardarian, Linda M. (California)
Feingold, Lainey [Elaine] (California)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:33 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Minnesota
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: 2010
Closing Date: 2011
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiffs are the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the California Council of the Blind (CCB), three not-for-profit organizations working to improve quality of life for the visually impaired. CCB is the state affiliate partner of ACB, both of which are primarily consumer-based organizations. AFB is a national organization focusing on issues concerning the visually impaired and also provide informational resources to concerned parties.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Best Buy Stores, L.P. (Minneapolis, Hennepin), Private Entity/Person
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Order Duration: 2010 - 2011
Content of Injunction:
Issues
General:
Disability and Disability Rights:
Discrimination-area:
Discrimination-basis:
Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)
Type of Facility: