National Federation of the Blind Reaches Agreement with U.S. Dept of Education Will Make Student Loan Information Accessible

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: 

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

National Federation of the Blind

National Federation of the Blind Reaches Agreement with U.S. Department of Education

Agreement Will Make Student Loan Information Accessible

Baltimore, Maryland (October 8, 2014): The National Federation of the Blind, the nation’s leading advocate for equal access by the blind to information and technology, and three individuals have reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education that will make student loan information accessible to blind Americans. The agreement commits the Department of Education and the student loan servicers with which it contracts to make websites, forms, and documents related to the department’s Direct Loan program equally accessible to blind applicants and borrowers. The requirements include providing documents in alternative formats such as Braille and large print and allowing blind people to fill out and electronically sign and submit accessible versions of student loan applications and forms. The blind use computers, smartphones, and tablets equipped with special software that allows the contents of websites and documents to be read aloud or displayed in Braille on a connected Braille device. When websites or documents are not properly coded, however, they cannot be accessed with the technology used by the blind.

Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “It goes without saying that the inability of blind people to acquire timely information about their student loans and interact with their loan servicers can result in serious financial consequences. Timely and independent access to student loan websites, forms, and documents is therefore imperative, not a matter of mere convenience. We are delighted that the Department of Education has agreed to work with us to achieve equal access to its student loan program.”

The complainants were represented in this matter by Arlene B. Mayerson and Larisa Cummings of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. and Daniel F. Goldstein and Jessica P. Weber of the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.