CVS/pharmacy Enhancing Accessibility for the Visually Impaired To Its Web Site and...

CVS/pharmacy Enhancing Accessibility for the Visually Impaired To Its Web Site
and Store Point of Sales Devices
Initiative Announced In Collaboration with State and National Organizations
for the Blind

WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy, the nation's largest
retail pharmacy, announced today that it is implementing functional
improvements to benefit its customers with visual impairments and other
disabilities. The Company has installed tactile keypads in all CVS stores and
it will enhance its website in 2009.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090129/NE64371LOGO )

Today's announcement is the result of a collaboration between CVS/pharmacy,
the American Foundation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind and
California Council of the Blind. CVS/pharmacy's actions were applauded by
these groups.

"We are pleased to collaborate with organizations committed to advocacy for
the blind and introduce service enhancements in our stores and online that
will increase access for our visually impaired customers," said Helena
Foulkes, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of CVS Caremark.

Point of Sale Improvements

CVS/pharmacy's point of sales improvements are designed to assist customers
who cannot read information on a flat screen point of sale device and
therefore cannot privately enter their PIN or other confidential information.
All CVS stores have been equipped, at a minimum, with a tactile device at both
the front check-out counter and the pharmacy counter to ensure that customers
unable to use a flat screen keypad do not have to provide their PIN to a store
employee. The Company is also training its store employees to provide
appropriate interaction with visually impaired customers regarding the use of
the new tactile devices.

"Without tactile keys, blind and visually impaired people have no choice but
to share their PINs with strangers," explained Melanie Brunson, executive
director of the American Council of the Blind. "Today's announcement, and the
collaboration that led to it, demonstrates CVS/pharmacy's ongoing commitment
to its blind and visually impaired customers."

Web Site Access

The initiative includes CVS/pharmacy's commitment to ensure that its online
pharmacy, www.cvs.com, is accessible to persons with a wide range of
disabilities, including blind computer users who use a screen reader or
magnification technology on their computers and those who rely on a keyboard
instead of a mouse. CVS.com will implement these enhancements by the end of
2009.

"An accessible web site is crucial if people with vision loss are to obtain
goods, services and information on an equal footing," said Paul Schroeder,
vice president, programs and policy group of the American Foundation for the
Blind. "We appreciate CVS/pharmacy's commitment to ensure that CVS.com is
usable by the broadest range of online consumers, including those who have
disabilities."

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is
America's largest retail pharmacy with more than 6,900 CVS/pharmacy and Longs
Drugs store locations. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of
those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy
services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at
CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available
at www.cvscaremark.com.

About American Council of the Blind (ACB) and California Council of the Blind
(CCB)

American Council of the Blind is a national consumer-based advocacy
organization working on behalf of blind and visually impaired Americans
throughout the country with members organized through seventy state and
special interest affiliates. California Council of the Blind is the
California affiliate of the ACB and is a statewide membership organization
with 40 local chapters and statewide special interest associations. ACB and
CCB are dedicated to improving the quality of life, equality of opportunity
and independence of all people who have visual impairments. Their members and
affiliated organizations have a long history of commitment to the advancement
of policies and programs which will enhance independence for people who are
blind and visually impaired. More information about ACB and CCB can be found
by visiting www.acb.org and http://www.ccbnet.org.

About American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that
expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include
broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and
tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting
independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them
and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud to
house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the over forty years that Helen
Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. For more information visit us online at
www.afb.org.
CONTACTS:

Mike DeAngelis
CVS/pharmacy
401-770-2645

Mitch Pomerantz
American Council of the Blind
626-372-5150

Adrianna Montague-Gray
American Foundation for the Blind
626-372-5150

SOURCE CVS/pharmacy

Mike DeAngelis of CVS/pharmacy, +1-401-770-2645; or Mitch Pomerantz of
American Council of the Blind, +1-626-372-5150; or Adrianna Montague-Gray of
American Foundation for the Blind, +1-626-372-5150