The touchscreen interface on Redbox kiosks discriminates against the visually impaired, according to a class action lawsuit filed against Redbox. San Francisco-based Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired claims that Redbox’s current design makes it difficult or impossible for blind customers to use the company’s kiosks.
The group also says that Redbox chose to ignore warnings issued several months ago regarding the kiosk operator’s allegedly unlawful accessibility barriers. From the complaint:
“Blind people must rely on sighted companions or strangers to assist them in renting and returning DVDs at Redbox kiosks . . . Blind people must also disclose personal information, including their zip codes, to these other individuals in order to complete a rental at the Redbox kiosks.”
This is obviously a sensitive issue–do you think Redbox’s current interface is discriminatory enough to merit the lawsuit? What could Redbox do to make its kiosks more accessible to blind patrons?
(via The Hollywood Reporter)
Ok, wait BLIND people want to rent out MOVIES!!! Ok, Ok I understood people with hearing problems wanting subtitles. But wait a blind person complaining about them not being able to rent out movies?! What on earth… Seriously. Are they going to start complaining to theaters too since they have no way a blind person can pay without knowing if it’s the right amount or a way to get into a seat without the assistance of a sighted companion or a stranger (who can also steal from this blind person). I understand maybe they want to listen to the movie or something? But to play a movie you still need to go pass a menu and then go pass a person getting to a redbox and going back home and placing the dvd on a dvd player how will they all do this without any sighted assistance? What I’m saying is this law sue has no actual way to follow though. Redbox would have to install speakers to the machines and a keypad and some software in which will read the title of the movie and probably the summery of the film. This is getting out of hand people need to see this is not a real problem! Sure it is a bother but not a life-treating problem to take it to court
Maybe they should spend their time getting US Currency accessible to the blind instead of trying to listen to movies.
I’ve seen blind people in movie theatres before, most with seeing-eye dogs.
I agree with Jonathan. The whole thing is ridiculous. I sympathize with the sight-impaired people, but you might as well just sue the whole world. There are dozens or hundreds of things that sighted people do every day that are difficult or impossible for those with little or no sight. What’s next, suing car manufacturers because they don’t sell cars that blind people can drive? That would be a fun suit. The late night hosts would have a field day with it.
@ Jonathan and CA
Both of you sound as if you were insensitive, ignorant bigots. Do a little dialectic reasoning and try and see this issue from the perspective of others.
To understand the needs of the visually challenged visit the following sites:
http://descriptivevideoproductions.com/
http://www.blindgal.com/2009/10/descriptive-audio-comes-to-all-upcoming.html
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/sony-pictures/sony-partners-with-wgbh-deliver-descriptive-video-service-dvds-16939
lets sue the coke and pepsi for their machines that vend how do they know which soda they are getting!! keep it coming!!
Next move sue all tablet makers as well those things are a nightmare too use for the blind.
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Ray
You played the piano but you found typing too difficult?
some people have way too much free time on their hands…..
What they said!!!
Hey, they have braille at the “DRIVE UP” atm.
What kind of audio signal do they get to know when the traffic light turns green?
Thats becuase they do not make different keys for dirve up ATMs as walk up ATMs. They only make one kind of key to save money. Otherwise, it is a very scary thought…
I worked for a movie theatre once and we were required to post signs that we had assistive listening devices available . . . . the sign had to include braille so a deaf AND blind person could read that we offered amplified headphones for them to hear the movie with.
This is a case of the 1% imposing their will on the remaining 99% – i.e. I’ll bet that less than 1% of DVD rental customers are visually impaired.
Seems odd that groups like this want to be treated like normal people, but wait you have to give them special treatment in order to do that.
I do agree that there are more important things that the visually impaired could be spending their time on, such as U.S. currency like someone suggested. But I just discovered something that everyone may not know on a dvd I rented the other day. In the set-up options menu there was an option that said Audio Descriptive or something like that. I selected that option and resumed the movie, and there was a voice that described everything that appeared on the screen. So I guess that is how the visually impaired “watch” movies.
How about audio redbox. Have a “speak” button so u can request what u want. Luna like an Android phone. It would be more cost efficient. It would even cater to everyone.
Man, I hate when our society sues for stupid things Like this.
So, does this mean that any touchscreen interface is potentially illegal because the blind can’t use it? Next, the deaf should sue the recording industry because they can’t hear music.
I hope the judge tosses this lawsuit out, along with the money-grubbing attorneys who cooked it up! This is what is wrong with the legal system in this country. All it takes is 25 people who are theoretically injured or aggrieved, plus 1 money-grubbing law firm, and Viola! Another frivolous lawsuit is born to further clog our court system.
Most visually impaired folks would just take a friend with them, since that friend is likely driving them to the Redbox anyway. This is a lawyered-up money grab, nothing more. The Americans With Disabilities Act is one of the most ridiculous examples of well-meaning legislation being shortsighted and full of loopholes for corruption. Follow the money, it’s ALWAYS an ambulance-chaser drumming these things up.