Judge rules that Netflix must provide captioning and other accessibility features

The Boston Globe reported that a federal judge ruled that Netflix and other online providers that serve the public are subject to requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The decision could require all TV shows and movies streamed over the Internet to include captions and other accommodations.

U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor rejected Netflix's argument that it is exempt from the ADA and declined to dismiss an ADA lawsuit against Netflix for failing to provide captions on much of its streaming content. Although the case still must be argued in court, the judge's refusal to dismiss supports the concept that Internet-based businesses must make their products and services as accessible to people with disabilities as with brick-and-mortar businesses.

Read the Boston Globe article: US judge rules Netflix subject to disability act