On August 4, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) released its highly anticipated proposed changes to the regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Title II prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The regulations aim to increase accessibility of websites and mobile applications by clarifying how these public entities can meet their ADA obligations on a technical level.… Continue Reading
Accessibility
Fourth Circuit Holds That Website Tester Has Standing
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that a disabled Florida resident has standing to sue a Maryland hotel under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), despite that Florida resident (the “plaintiff” ) never intending to stay at the hotel.
In Laufer v. Naranda Hotels, LLC,the plaintiff alleged that Naranda Hotels, LLC (“Naranda”) violated Title III of the ADA because a third-party hotel reservation website did not provide sufficient information regarding the accessibility of Naranda’s hotel rooms.… Continue Reading
DOJ’s Guidance Confirms Businesses Open to the Public Must Make Web Content Accessible
By Michelle M. McGeogh & Maraya Pratt on
Posted in Accessibility, ADA
The historical uncertainty regarding whether businesses must have websites and mobile applications that are accessible to persons with disabilities has been, in part, the result of the absence of regulatory direction as to whether such digital assets are covered by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
While regulations have yet to be promulgated, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) on March 18, 2022 published Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA explaining that entities covered by Title II (state and local governments) and Title III (places of public accommodation) should ensure their websites are accessible to people with disabilities in line with the ADA’s requirements.… Continue Reading
Eleventh Circuit Overturns Landmark Accessibility Decision in Winn-Dixie, Determines Certain Websites Are Not “Public Accommodations” Covered by Title III of the ADA
On April 7, 2021, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Winn-Dixie Stores’ websites are not “public accommodations” and therefore are not subject to the accessibility requirements of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The decision reversed a 2017 federal district court opinion – in what may be the only website accessibility case to ever go to trial – that required the grocery store chain to make its website accessible to individuals with visual disabilities. … Continue Reading