FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Federation of the Blind Lawsuit
Addressing Web Accessibility Will Proceed
Target Cannot Appeal Class Action Certification Ruling
Baltimore, Maryland (January 2, 2008): The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has denied Target Corporation’s petition for an interlocutory appeal of the District Court’s order granting class action certification to a lawsuit filed against the retailer by the National Federation of the Blind for Target’s failure and refusal to make its Web site fully accessible to blind shoppers. As a result, the suit will proceed against Target on behalf of all blind Americans, as well as for a subclass of all blind Californians.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “We are pleased that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed our lawsuit against Target to move forward on its merits. Target can no longer delay being held accountable to the blind of the nation for denying us access to its Web site.”
About the National Federation of the Blind
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.