ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: An Online Restaurant & Food Service Platform
Plaintiff's Firm: WILSHIRE LAW FIRM
Case Summary
Brett DeSalvo, represented by WILSHIRE LAW FIRM, filed an ADA Title III lawsuit against an online restaurant and food service platform in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on January 5, 2021. The plaintiff, who is visually impaired and uses screen reading software, alleges that the defendant's website is not fully and equally accessible, thereby denying him and other blind or visually impaired individuals equal access to its products and services.
The complaint outlines numerous accessibility barriers, including a lack of alternative text for non-text elements and linked images, inaccessible Portable Document Formats (PDFs), empty and redundant links, and issues with keyboard operability where focus indicators are not discernible. Furthermore, forms and user interface elements reportedly do not provide the same information and functionality for visually impaired users, and the content's meaning and structure are not conveyed beyond visual presentation, hindering screen reader interpretation.
This lawsuit highlights the critical legal risk faced by online restaurant and food service platforms that fail to comply with ADA Title III and WCAG 2.1 guidelines. Businesses operating similar digital platforms may face legal challenges and potential injunctions if their websites do not ensure full and equal access for individuals with disabilities, leading to demands for policy changes, accessibility training, and remediation of identified barriers.
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Case Q&A
What specific WCAG violations is this online restaurant and food service platform accused of?
The platform is accused of lacking alternative text for non-text elements and linked images, having inaccessible Portable Document Formats (PDFs), presenting empty and redundant links, and failing to provide discernible keyboard focus indicators. Additionally, forms and user interface elements reportedly do not offer equal functionality or information for visually impaired users.
Who filed this lawsuit, and which law firm?
Brett DeSalvo filed this lawsuit, and he is represented by WILSHIRE LAW FIRM.
What legal risk does this create?
This case creates a legal risk for similar online restaurant and food service platforms, emphasizing the necessity of digital accessibility under ADA Title III. Non-compliant businesses may face lawsuits, injunctions requiring website remediation to WCAG 2.1 standards, and demands for comprehensive accessibility policies and employee training.