ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: An Online Apparel Retailer

Plaintiff Rasheta Bunting has initiated a civil rights action against an online apparel retailer in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Filed on November 6, 2024, the lawsuit alleges that the retailer’s digital platform fails to provide equal access to its goods and services for blind and visually-impaired individuals, violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ms. Bunting, represented by SHAKED LAW GROUP, P.C., contends that the retailer's website contains numerous barriers preventing independent navigation and transaction completion for screen-reader users.

The complaint specifically details several critical WCAG violations, including the pervasive absence of alt-text on graphics, rendering images indecipherable to screen readers. Inaccessible drop-down menus and navigation links further obstruct user flow, while inadequate prompting and labeling hinder form completion, such as for product searches and credit card information. Crucially, the site's reliance on mouse-only interactions for essential functions like "Quick Shop" buttons, size and color selections, quantity adjustments, and discount code inputs creates significant barriers for keyboard-only users, effectively preventing blind customers from making purchases independently. The "Size Guide" link is also skipped by screen readers.

This litigation underscores a significant compliance challenge for businesses operating digital storefronts, particularly those within the e-commerce sector. Organizations offering goods and services online, especially apparel retailers, face continuous scrutiny regarding the accessibility of their web platforms. Failure to adhere to established accessibility guidelines, such as WCAG 2.1, can lead to substantial legal exposure under federal and state disability laws, necessitating proactive measures to ensure their digital presence serves all potential customers, including those with visual impairments.