American Airlines to pay $200,000 in disability discrimination settlement

American Airlines has agreed to a $200,000 settlement to resolve a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The case involved a former employee at the company’s Fort Worth headquarters who developed cortical blindness during her employment.

The EEOC alleged that the airline failed to provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, the employee requested the use of screen reader software to navigate internal booking and administrative systems, or alternatively, a transfer to a different position. Instead, the company placed her on unpaid, involuntary leave for nearly four years before ultimately terminating her employment.

As part of a two-year consent decree, American Airlines will pay the $200,000 in monetary relief and must implement changes to its operational software development standards. The company has also committed to integrating Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and providing mandatory training for its human resources personnel to ensure future compliance with accessibility requirements.