ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: An Online Hardware Retailer
Plaintiff's Firm: Manning Law, APC
Case Summary
Michael Sandoval, represented by Manning Law, APC, has filed a lawsuit in the San Bernardino County Superior Court, CA, against an online hardware retailer on January 24, 2025. The plaintiff, who is visually-impaired and uses screen-reading software, alleges that the defendant's e-commerce website is inaccessible, thereby denying full and equal access to its products and services, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act (UCRA).
The complaint details numerous WCAG violations, including missing or incorrectly labeled alternative text for non-text elements and graphics, inaccessible forms and slideshows, and insufficient navigational headings. It further claims that the purpose of links cannot be determined from their text, keyboard operability is lacking, and product links and descriptions are inaccessible to screen-reading software, thereby preventing full and equal access to the e-commerce website's goods and services.
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing legal risks for e-commerce websites and digital platforms that fail to provide full accessibility for visually-impaired users, particularly regarding compliance with ADA Title III and state civil rights acts like the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Businesses offering online services integrated with physical locations must ensure their digital interfaces are independently usable by individuals relying on screen-reading software to mitigate potential litigation.
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Case Q&A
What specific WCAG violations is this online hardware retailer accused of?
The lawsuit against an online hardware retailer alleges a range of WCAG violations, including the absence of alternative text for images and non-text elements, unlabeled or mislabeled buttons and links, and insufficient navigational headings. Other issues cited involve inaccessible forms, slideshows, product descriptions, and ordering systems, making the website unusable for screen-reading software.
Who filed this lawsuit, and which law firm?
Michael Sandoval filed this lawsuit, and he is represented by Manning Law, APC.
What legal risk does this create?
This case underscores the legal exposure for businesses operating e-commerce websites that are not fully accessible to visually-impaired users. Failure to comply with ADA Title III and state civil rights laws can lead to lawsuits seeking injunctive relief and statutory damages, especially for digital platforms that offer services integrated with physical store locations.