Target.com Will Become More Accessible to Blind

Chloe Albanesius - PC Magazine

Target has settled a class-action dispute with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) whereby the retail giant will pay $6 million and make its Web site more accessible to the visually impaired by next year, the company announced Wednesday.

Under the deal, Target has until February 2009 to implement technical changes to Target that will make it easier for those with vision problems to access the store's Web site with screen-reader software.

After the changes have been made, the NFB will conduct quarterly checks of the site to make sure the changes are still in effect. These checks will be conducted via automated monitoring tool Worldspace, as well as in-person tests of the site with 5 to 15 blind participants, according to the settlement.

Target will fund the NFB monitoring at a cost of $50,000 for the first year and $40,000 each additional year for a period of three years.

In addition to the $6 million that will be split between class members, initial plaintiff Bruce Sexton Jr. will also receive $20,000.

"This settlement marks a new chapter in making Web sites accessible to the blind," Sexton said in a statement.

Target will also pay up to $15,000 for NFB-led training sessions during which Target employees responsible for Web site coding will be briefed on the settlement details.

Target and the NFB are still working out details on who will cover attorneys' fees and costs, according to the deal.

Target must also notify the NFB of any changes it makes to its Web site template or if it identifies any concerns that might prevent the visually impaired from accessing the site.

"It is our sincere hope that other businesses providing goods and services over the Internet will follow Target's example and take affirmative steps to provide full access to their Web sites by blind consumers," Dr. Marc Maurer, NFB president, said in a statement.

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the National Federation of the Blind regarding the accessibility of Target for individuals who use assistive technologies and will work with the NFB on further refinements to our Web site," said Steve Eastman, president of Target.

Sexton and the NFB first filed their complaint in February 2006 and the case was certified as class-action in October 2007. Target admits no wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement.

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