Netflix may have to provide closed captions online

U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor of Springfield (MA) has taken a step toward requiring Netflix to provide closed-captioning for the deaf on its video-streaming website, ruling that federal disability laws cover businesses that serve their customers online.

Netflix is the dominant provider of movies and TV programs on the Internet, with more than 20 million subscribers. The National Association for the Deaf accused the company of violating the law by withholding closed-captioning from most of the videos on its "Watch Instantly" on-demand website. Netflix sought to dismiss the suit, arguing that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires accommodations for the disabled only in stores and other physical structures - an argument accepted in the past by some courts. Judge Ponsor said the law prohibits discrimination in any venue, including the Internet.