News

Blind advocates sue LinkNYC over inaccessible Wi-Fi kiosks

August 1, 2016

Three blind New Yorkers have sued LinkNYC over the organization's Wi-Fi kiosks in New York City. The group claims that the kiosks are not properly accessible to blind users, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Michelle Caiola, managing attorney for Disability Rights Advocates and the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, claimed that the kiosks lack audio cues and software for blind users. The kiosks provide free Wi-Fi, phone calls, maps and mobile device charging. They provide Braille labels next to a 911 button, as well as a headphone jack and wheelchair accessibility.

 Mindy Jacobsen, one of the three blind residents suing the company, said she plugged her headphones into the kiosk to get directions, but the map feature only provided touch-screen visuals without audio.

"We take accessibility seriously — the LinkNYC franchise agreement requires compliance with the ADA and any other applicable laws related to accessibility," a LinkNYC spokeswoman said in the report.