ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: An Online Restaurant Platform
Plaintiff's Firm: MANNING LAW, APC
Case Summary
Perla Mageno, represented by MANNING LAW, APC, filed a federal complaint on June 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against an online restaurant platform. The lawsuit alleges that the platform's website denies full and equal access to blind and visually-impaired individuals, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act.
The complaint specifically outlines several accessibility barriers encountered by the plaintiff using screen-reading software. These include graphics, links, and buttons lacking proper labels or alternative text (Alt-text), making their purpose unclear to screen-reader users. The plaintiff also faced difficulties due to multiple unlabeled or mislabeled buttons and links, insufficient navigational headings, and inaccessible reservation and checkout systems, preventing independent use of the website's features.
This action highlights the ongoing legal risks for businesses operating websites that are not fully accessible to disabled users. Similar online platforms, especially those integrated with physical locations and offering goods and services, must ensure their digital interfaces are designed, maintained, and operated in compliance with accessibility standards to avoid potential lawsuits, injunctive relief, and statutory damages for discriminatory practices.
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Case Q&A
What specific WCAG violations is this online restaurant platform accused of?
The platform is accused of having graphics, links, and buttons that are not labeled or are incorrectly labeled, or lack alternative text. Additionally, there are allegations of multiple unlabeled or mislabeled buttons and links, insufficient navigational headings, and inaccessible reservation and checkout systems.
Who filed this lawsuit, and which law firm?
This lawsuit was filed by Perla Mageno, represented by the law firm MANNING LAW, APC.
What legal risk does this create?
This case creates a legal risk for similar businesses, particularly online platforms integrated with physical locations, to ensure their websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities, or face lawsuits alleging discrimination under the ADA Title III and state civil rights acts.