VA Must Face Blind Employee’s Suit Over Computer System Change

A blind Veterans Affairs social worker can pursue discrimination claims over a change in her facility’s electronic health record system that isn’t compatible with her screen-reading software, a D.C. federal judge ruled.

The US District Court for the District of Columbia’s decision Thursday addressed the intersection of federal disability bias and defense laws and may provide guidance to other courts.

The department was wrong that Laurette Santos’ claim under §508 of the Rehabilitation Act failed because the change was required by the National Defense Authorization Act, Judge John D. Bates said. Section 508 requires federal agencies to ensure individuals with ...