NAFCU, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions file joint ADA brief defending $1M-Asset CU
WASHINGTON, DC (April 26, 2018) — The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) submitted another amicus brief in support of an Alabama-based $1.4 million-asset community development credit union facing litigation over unclear website accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). NAFCU was joined in the filing by the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation).
NRS Community Development Federal Credit Union is a credit union committed to financial inclusion and providing services to low- and moderate-income populations with limited access to affordable financial services.
“NAFCU will not stand by while a credit union is targeted by a meritless lawsuit over unclear rules,” said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. “NAFCU will continue to actively defend credit unions in this fight – large or small – as we have done from the beginning.”
“Community development credit unions, like NRS Community Development FCU, specialize in serving populations with limited access to affordable financial services, which includes a high percentage of individuals with disabilities,” said Federation President and CEO Cathie Mahon. “No good purpose is served by preventing credit unions from serving those who need their services most.”
NAFCU has been active on this issue since last fall and began filing amicus briefs to support credit unions targeted by ADA website accessibility litigation in December. Including this filing, NAFCU has filed eight amicus briefs to support credit unions; of those, five have resulted in dismissals.
To date, credit unions in at least 25 states have been targeted with demand letters on this issue. NAFCU and its members strongly support the protections of the ADA and efforts to ensure individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against and have equal access to financial services. However, this is best achieved through clear guidance and standards for website compliance, not through meritless and costly lawsuits.
The association has also attended multiple hearings to support credit unions defending lawsuits and continues to engage with various stakeholders on the issue, including Congress, states’ attorneys general and the Justice Department to clarify regulatory standards for websites.
NAFCU also has available its widely downloaded ADA FAQ document; additional resources for dealing with the ADA issue can be found here.
About NAFCU
The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions is the only national trade association focusing exclusively on federal issues affecting the nation’s federally-insured credit unions. NAFCU membership is direct and provides credit unions with the best in federal advocacy, education and compliance assistance. For more information on NAFCU, go to www.nafcu.org or @NAFCU on Twitter.
About the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions
The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions is a certified CDFI intermediary representing community development credit unions (CDCUs). The Federation’s member CDCUs provide credit, savings, transaction services and financial education to more than 7 million residents of low- and moderate-income urban, rural and reservation-based communities across the US, and hold over $70 billion in community-controlled assets. Founded in 1974, the Federation is headquartered in Lower Manhattan with offices in Madison, WI. The Federation offers a wide range of advocacy, educational, training, investment, marketing, and outreach programs to support and assist CDCUs. For more information about the Federation and its programs, visit www.cdcu.coopand connect with the Federation on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
