National Association of the Deaf v. Harvard University

**What Happened** The National Association of the Deaf sued Harvard University in 2019, claiming the university's websites and online videos were not accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing students and prospective students. The lawsuit alleged that Harvard violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide captions, transcripts, and other accessibility features on their digital platforms, making it difficult or impossible for people with hearing disabilities to access educational content and services online. **What the Court Decided** The First Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mixed ruling on Harvard's digital accessibility obligations under the ADA. The court addressed whether universities must make their websites and online content accessible to people with disabilities, focusing on compliance requirements for educational institutions' digital services. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case highlights the growing importance of digital accessibility in workplaces and educational settings. As more work and learning moves online, employers and institutions have increasing responsibilities to ensure their digital platforms are accessible to employees and students with disabilities. Workers with hearing impairments can point to cases like this when advocating for accessible workplace technology, training materials, and communication tools.