[Missouri-l] Fw: CVS/pharmacy Press Release

[Chip Hailey]

> CVS/pharmacy Enhancing Accessibility for the Visually Impaired To Its Web
> Site and Store Point of Sales Devices
>
> Initiative Announced In Collaboration with State and National 
> Organizations
> for the Blind
>
> Woonsocket, Rhode Island, July 30, 2009: CVS/pharmacy, the nation's 
> largest
> retail pharmacy, announced today that it is implementing functional
> improvements to benefit its customers with visual impairments and other
> disabilities. The Company has installed tactile keypads in all CVS stores
> and it will enhance its website in 2009.
>
> Today's announcement is the result of a collaboration between 
> CVS/pharmacy,
> the American Foundation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind and
> California Council of the Blind. CVS/pharmacy's actions were applauded by
> these groups.
>
> "We are pleased to collaborate with organizations committed to advocacy 
> for
> the blind and introduce service enhancements in our stores and online that
> will increase access for our visually impaired customers," said Helena
> Foulkes, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of CVS
> Caremark.
>
> Point of Sale Improvements
>
> CVS/pharmacy's point of sales improvements are designed to assist 
> customers
> who cannot read information on a flat screen point of sale device and
> therefore cannot privately enter their PIN or other confidential
> information. All CVS stores have been equipped, at a minimum, with a 
> tactile
> device at both the front check-out counter and the pharmacy counter to
> ensure that customers unable to use a flat screen keypad do not have to
> provide their PIN to a store employee. The Company is also training its
> store employees to provide appropriate interaction with visually impaired
> customers regarding the use of the new tactile devices.
>
> "Without tactile keys, blind and visually impaired people have no choice 
> but
> to share their PINs with strangers," explained Melanie Brunson, executive
> director of the American Council of the Blind. "Today's announcement, and
> the collaboration that led to it, demonstrates CVS/pharmacy's ongoing
> commitment to its blind and visually impaired customers."
>
> Web Site Access
>
> The initiative includes CVS/pharmacy's commitment to ensure that its 
> online
> pharmacy, www.cvs.com, is accessible to persons with a wide range of
> disabilities, including blind computer users who use a screen reader or
> magnification technology on their computers and those who rely on a 
> keyboard
> instead of a mouse. CVS.com will implement these enhancements by the end 
> of
> 2009.
>
> "An accessible web site is crucial if people with vision loss are to 
> obtain
> goods, services and information on an equal footing," said Paul Schroeder,
> vice president, programs and policy group of the American Foundation for 
> the
> Blind. "We appreciate CVS/pharmacy's commitment to ensure that CVS.com is
> usable by the broadest range of online consumers, including those who have
> disabilities."
>
> About CVS/pharmacy
>
> CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS),
> is America's largest retail pharmacy with more than 6,900 CVS/pharmacy and
> Longs Drugs store locations. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the
> lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and
> pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores
> and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS
> Caremark is available at www.cvscaremark.com.
>
> About American Council of the Blind (ACB) and California Council of the
> Blind (CCB)
>
> American Council of the Blind is a national consumer-based advocacy
> organization working on behalf of blind and visually impaired Americans
> throughout the country with members organized through seventy state and
> special interest affiliates. California Council of the Blind is the
> California affiliate of the ACB and is a statewide membership organization
> with 40 local chapters and statewide special interest associations. ACB 
> and
> CCB are dedicated to improving the quality of life, equality of 
> opportunity
> and independence of all people who have visual impairments. Their members
> and affiliated organizations have a long history of commitment to the
> advancement of policies and programs which will enhance independence for
> people who are blind and visually impaired. More information about ACB and
> CCB can be found by visiting www.acb.org and http://www.ccbnet.org.
>
> About American Foundation for the Blind
>
> The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that
> expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities 
> include
> broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and
> tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and 
> promoting
> independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing 
> them
> and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud 
> to
> house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the over forty years that Helen
> Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. For more information visit us online at
> www.afb.org.
>
>
> CONTACTS:
>
> Mike DeAngelis
> CVS/pharmacy
> 401-770-2645
>
> Mitch Pomerantz
> American Council of the Blind
> 626-372-5150
>
> Adrianna Montague-Gray
> American Foundation for the Blind
> 626-372-5150


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