Blind Workers Test Limitations of Online Hiring Systems (1)

Hard Rock Cafe. GameStop. Dart Container. Albertsons. What do the theme-restaurant chain, gaming retailer, foam cup maker, and grocery store chain have in common? All are accused of having online job application systems that blind workers can’t access fully.

And all four companies face lawsuits in California federal court alleging discrimination against blind and visually impaired job seekers at the very outset of the job search process. And they’re not alone. Since April, seven other employers have similarly been sued under California law in state court.

The cases draw attention to “huge” problems for many visually impaired Americans: accessing online ...