“The attorneys for two disabled Oakland (Calif.) women have reached a settlement with Apple Inc. over their lawsuit alleging the San Francisco store is not accessible to persons in wheelchairs. Apple denied any liability for the women’s claims, but did agree to a three-page list of changes to the store,” ifoAppleStore reports.
“Both sides agreed to a separate, confidential agreement on damages, attorney fees and other expenses,” ifoAppleStore reports. “Jana Overbo and Nicole Brown-Booker filed the lawsuit in August, 2007 after they visited the store and found the aisles too narrow to navigate, merchandise too high to reach, and a Genius Bar staff that did not accommodate them. In the settlement signed last Friday, Apple agreed to adjust the front door opening pressure, install a corridor handrail, make changes to the first-floor public restroom, and install Braille signage adjacent to each elevator landing. The company will also rearrange the theater seating to be compliant with federal accessibility laws, and will make children’s software at the ‘kids’ table available at wheelchair accessible counters when requested. Apple also agreed to provide employee training on aisle accessibility and to offering assistance to wheelchair-bound customers.”
ifoAppleStore reports, “The agreement covers only changes at the San Francisco Apple store, and not other locations in the chain. However, certain ‘outreach’ training will be given to all of Apple’s current and future retail store employees.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: What we wrote regarding this back on August 30, 2007 stands today: Apple’s retail stores should and must be equally accessible to all customers. Apple should do whatever it takes to comply with and exceed all existing laws and regulations regarding accessibility.
