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Blind California Customers Will Get 1.2 Million in Damages Payments Under Proposed Settlement of Redbox Kiosk Class Action

 

A settlement has been proposed in a class action that blind individuals filed against Redbox and its partner retail stores.  The suit alleges that the inaccessible touchscreen interfaces used on the popular Redbox movie rental kiosks exclude blind customers. 

 

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Redbox will make its kiosks independently accessible to blind customers.  In addition, blind customers who were unable to use or deterred from using the kiosks in California will be entitled to receive up to $4000 from a $1.2 million fund.  If more than 300 claims are submitted, each claim is reduced pro rata among the claimants. 

 

This is a fabulous result for access to emerging customer service kiosks.  It sends a strong message to the retail industry.  Touchscreen kiosks must be independently accessible to blind people.  The implications extend to movie theatre ticketing kiosks, self-service checkout and a host of new automated transaction technologies. 

 

While the settlement has not yet been approved, claimants should watch for information on how to file a claim.  The

proposed settlement agreement is posted here.

.  Follow @trelegal on Twitter for more information as the settlement approval unfolds and other important technology access updates.