Carmelle et al. v. First Union - Expanded Talking ATM and Website Accessibility

This Amendment to Settlement Agreement, entered into in January 2003, expanded upon an earlier 2001 agreement between First Union and blind advocates. The agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold, Linda Dardarian, and Tom Earle (formerly with the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania). Key commitments: - Expansion of Talking ATM installation to 600-650 machines by December 31, 2003 - Website accessibility compliance with WCAG Priority One and Two by November 30, 2002 (with online banking by December 31, 2004) - Comprehensive alternative formats policy for printed materials - Fee waivers for visually impaired customers - Raised-line checks at standard pricing First Union was subsequently purchased by Wachovia, and the accessibility commitments were maintained. The agreement demonstrated how accessibility commitments could be expanded and refined through collaborative negotiation, and how such commitments survive corporate mergers and acquisitions.