The National Federation of the Blind, an advocate for Internet access for blind Americans, announced an agreement with Travelocity to make its website more accessible to the blind.

Under the agreement, Travelocity Under today’s agreement, Travelocity will make accessible by July 1, 2011, its home page and each initial Web page used for searching flights, hotels,  and vacation packages .

"The Internet is a critical means of access to business, education, information, and entertainment in the twenty-first century, and the blind must have equal access if we are to be equal participants in society,”  said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,

“By making its popular online travel agency fully accessible to the blind, Travelocity is setting an example that should be followed by the entire online travel industry.”

Travelocity said it will develop a comprehensive accessibility program that will include the development of an accessibility guidelines manual, and the appointment of both an accessibility coordinator and an accessibility committee.

 “We thank the National Federation of the Blind for their assistance and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that rapid progress is made in making the Travelocity Web site usable by everyone.,” said Nejib Ben-Khedher, Chief Operating Officer of Travelocity.