Redbox Reaches $1.2M Class Action Settlement with Blind Users

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Redbox Automated Retail LLC has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging its video rental kiosks in California are not accessible to blind users. The company agreed to pay $1.2 million to eligible Class Members and to make modifications to its kiosks and website to allow blind and visually-impaired users to use Redbox services independently.

The Redbox class action lawsuit was filed in January 2012 by Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a California corporation dedicated to serving the blind and visually impaired, and five plaintiffs who allege they were unable to rent movies at Redbox kiosks in Save Mart Supermarkets in California. California law offers plaintiffs $1,000 per incident under the Disabled Persons Act, or $4,000 per incident under the Unruh Act.

Redbox offers a nationwide video rental service through a vast network of self-service video kiosks. These kiosks provide a convenient way for customers to rent movies and video games. According to the class action settlement documents, Redbox customers can rent a DVD for just $1.20 per night.

Under the terms of the Redbox class action settlement, the company agrees to make changes to its kiosks and its website to improve the accessibility to blind and visually-impaired users. Until these changes are implemented, Redbox is providing legally blind users with access to its video rental services by telephone. A customer service agent will assist users by remotely browsing, selecting and vending games and videos. Redbox says this service will remain in place at least until it completes the modifications of its California kiosks.

The modifications proposed in the Redbox class action settlement include equipping existing Redbox kiosks in California with a nonvisual user interface that will allow blind and visually-impaired individuals to browse, select, pay for and return movies and games independently. These proposed modifications include a standard headphone jack, tactile keypad and text-to-speech output that will read the text on the screen.

Class Members of the proposed Redbox class action settlement would include all legally blind individuals who have attempted but have been unable to access the products or services available at Redbox kiosks in California (or deterred from accessing the products or services) since Jan. 12, 2010. The parties estimate that between 300 and 1,200 claimants are eligible for benefits under the terms of the Redbox settlement.

Under the terms of the Redbox class action settlement, Lighthouse will implement user testing of the modified kiosks and report to the company on a quarterly basis about its findings. Lighthouse will receive $85,000 to monitor the kiosks and the website for accessibility. Redbox also agrees to contribute $1.2 million to Class Members who submit valid claims. Class Members could be eligible to receive between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the number of claims filed.

The plaintiffs are represented by Laurence W. Paradis, Stuart Seaborn and Michael S. Nunez of Disability Rights Advocates and Jay Koslofsky of Law Offices of Jay Koslofsky.

The Redbox ADA Class Action Lawsuit is Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, et al. v. Redbox Automated Retail LLC, et al., Case NO. 4:12-cv-00195, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.