Victory! NAD Makes Touchdown in Groundbreaking Redskins Case <\/p>\n
Posted October 2, 2008 <\/p>\n
In an opinion issued on September 30, 2008, a federal district court
\nin Maryland held that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
\nrequires the Washington Redskins \u201cto provide deaf and hard of
\nhearing fans equal access to the aural information broadcast over the
\nstadium bowl public address system at FedExField, which includes music
\nwith lyrics, play information, advertisements, referee calls,
\nsafety\/emergency information, and other announcements.\u201d <\/p>\n
The lawsuit was brought in August 2006 on behalf of Redskins fans
\nShane Feldman, Brian Kelly, and Paul Singleton, who are deaf or hard
\nof hearing and who regularly attend Washington Redskins home games at
\nFedExField. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Joseph B.
\nEspo of Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP, represent the plaintiffs. The
\ncourt\u2019s ruling requires that FedExField, the home of the Washington
\nRedskins, must provide auxiliary aids and services to make the
\ngame-day experience fully accessible for deaf and hard of hearing
\nfans. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis victory is the first of its kind and carries great
\nsignificance\u201d said Nancy J. Bloch, NAD Chief Executive Officer.
\n\u201cAs the court recognizes, there are hundreds of stadiums, arenas,
\nand sports venues throughout the United States. This groundbreaking
\ndecision is expected to have nationwide ripple effect as these
\nstadiums look to this decision for guidance on ADA requirements with
\nrespect to the communication access needs of deaf and hard of hearing
\nconsumers.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a tremendous breakthrough for deaf and hard of hearing
\nsport fans. This decision, supporting equal access, will benefit the
\nentire deaf and hard of hearing community, especially those who bleed
\nburgundy and gold,\u201d said Mr. Feldman, referring to the colors of the
\nWashington Redskins team. \u201cThis outcome would not have been possible
\nwithout the valiant efforts of the NAD and Mr. Espo.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect that stadiums, arenas and other sports venues will take
\nheed and begin to follow the law on providing equal access to
\nindividuals with disabilities, including providing equal access to
\naural information for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing,\u201d
\nsaid Mr. Espo. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe court\u2019s decision marks a significant victory for plaintiffs
\nand the deaf and hard of hearing community,\u201d said Marc Charmatz, NAD
\nSenior Attorney. \u201cThe ADA applies to stadiums, and now a court, for
\nthe first time, has recognized that deaf and hard of hearing fans have
\na legal right to equal access at stadiums.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Court held that one disputed fact remained in the case \u2013
\nwhether captions displayed on the 50-yard line were effective for
\naudiovisual presentations displayed on JumboTrons located in the end
\nzones. The NAD is confident that this matter will be brought to a
\nsuccessful closure. <\/p>\n
About NAD <\/p>\n
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was established in 1880 by
\ndeaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community
\nto use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and
\nto have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs
\nremain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value.
\nAs a nonprofit federation, the mission of the NAD is to preserve,
\nprotect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of deaf
\nand hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. The
\nadvocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering the breadth of a lifetime
\nand impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention,
\neducation, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications,
\nyouth leadership, and more. For more information, please visit<\/p>\n