ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: A Restaurant's Digital Presence

Plaintiff OSCAR HERRERA, represented by RODERICK V. HANNAH, ESQ., P.A., and LAW OFFICE OF PELAYO DURAN, P.Α., filed an ADA Title III lawsuit against an online restaurant booking platform in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on March 25, 2025. The plaintiff, a blind individual, alleges discriminatory barriers preventing full and equal access to the defendant's website, which offers reservation booking, gift card purchases, and VIP account sign-ups.

The complaint details several specific WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA violations. These include the lack of accessible alternatives for audio-only and video-only content (Guideline 1.2.1), multiple keyboard navigation failures impacting gift card purchases and date pickers (Guideline 2.1.1), keyboard traps within expanded navigation submenus (Guideline 2.1.2), and focus order issues preventing interaction with accessibility widgets, pop-up checkboxes, and video settings (Guideline 2.4.3). Additionally, the lawsuit cites a lack of error identification announcements on forms (Guideline 3.3.1).

This lawsuit highlights significant legal risks for businesses operating e-commerce websites or online booking platforms that fail to provide full and equal access to visually disabled individuals. Companies with digital presences that serve as an extension or gateway to their physical places of public accommodation must ensure their websites are fully compliant with ADA Title III and WCAG standards to avoid potential demands for injunctive relief, policy changes, and remediation of digital barriers.