Blind tax payers sue for inacessible website in USA

Transcript

2 June 2013

Roberta: Last month two blind taxpayers from the US filed a lawsuit against a large tax firm and the District of Massachusetts. They claim that they were unlawfully excluded from accessing the website when they went to file their tax online. And here to tell us about this recent case gaining international attention is Media Access Australia’s Clarizza Fernandez. Hello, Clarizza.

Participant: Hi, Roberta.

Roberta: Now, tell us more about this lawsuit.

Clarizza: Yes, two residents of Massachusetts, Mika Pyyhkala and Lindsay Yazzolino, tried to file their taxes on the H&R Block website. H&R is one of the largest tax firms in the US and they have websites all over the world. Now, both Mika and Lindsay are blind and they weren’t able to log into the website as a result of their needs not being considered. They claim that the website was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and also an article out of the Massachusetts Constitution.

Roberta: So how were they excluded from the website?

Clarizza: Well, firstly they couldn’t get past the login screen. So often on websites you’re required to log in and fill out a form; however blind people require screen readers or a screen magnifier in order to access the form. If the website isn’t built with accessibility in mind or it can’t be accessed through assistive technology like screen readers then it presents barriers to people with a disability because it excludes them from that service.

H&R Block also offers through its website the ability to communicate with online tax professionals, but these services were not an option for them as they weren’t accessible.

Roberta: Clarizza, how important is this particular case for blind and vision impaired people?

Clarizza: It’s very important. There are many services that can be accessed online and this will only continue to become the norm. So when big companies like this miss the mark it’s important to highlight that going forward.

Accessibility has to be considered because accessing services online is something everyone has the right to, particularly since H&R Block is responsible for approximately one in six tax returns in America. As you can tell, that is quite a few. So this is also important because, as I mentioned, it’s quite a big corporation, so it provides a big spotlight on accessibility.

If you remember back in 2010, another case involving Disney really put the spotlight on the issue and in 2008 Target’s websites in the US were put in the spotlight for lack of accessibility. As a result they endeavoured to make their websites more accessible to the blind and vision impaired.

So really all of these cases have the power to bring about change so many more people can access the services online.

Roberta: The case references the ADA. What can we do in Australia to bring these cases forward?

Clarizza: In Australia the main piece of legislation that we can refer to when it comes to equal access to goods and services is the Disability Discrimination Act. So if you believe a website is inaccessible you can contact the Australian Human Rights Commission. There’s a lot more detail and more information on the Media Access website, in case you’d like to contact an organisation if you believe that their website is inaccessible.

Roberta: And can you give our listeners the Media Access website address?

Clarizza: Yes, it’s www.mediaaccess.org.au and it will be under the Online Media and Policy and Web Accessibility sections.

Roberta: That certainly is important. We’ll be looking forward to how that ends up. Now, to find out more about web accessibility for people with a disability and what you can expect from Australian websites visit the Media Access Australia website or you can give them a call on 02 9212 6242. That’s 02 9212 6242. Thank you for all of that, Clarizza.

Clarizza: Thanks, Roberta.

Roberta: I’ve been speaking with Clarizza Fernandez from Media Access Australia. Media Access Australia is a supporter of this program.

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