Beth Kramer v. Azazie, Inc.

Case Summary

According to the complaint, Beth Kramer, a legally blind resident of New York, is suing Azazie, Inc. for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by operating a website that is inaccessible to blind users. Ms. Kramer attempted to use www.azazie.com to purchase formalwear for her daughter's graduation but encountered numerous accessibility barriers that prevented her from completing transactions. The complaint alleges that the website fails to comply with WCAG 2.1 standards, resulting in discrimination against blind consumers. Ms. Kramer seeks injunctive relief to ensure the website is accessible and compensatory damages for the barriers she faced.

Causes of Action

• Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182 et seq.
• New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL)
• Violation of New York State Civil Rights Law (NYCRL)
• Violations of the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL)
• Declaratory Relief

Key Allegations

• Plaintiff encountered numerous accessibility barriers on the website preventing meaningful engagement with products and services.
• Systemic accessibility failures identified across more than 1,000 pages of the website.
• Defendant failed to design, construct, and maintain its website in accordance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

Requested Relief

• Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA and New York laws.
• Compensatory damages for violations of civil rights under New York laws.
• An award of costs and expenses of this action together with reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees.

Proposed Class

All legally blind individuals residing in the State of New York who have attempted to access www.AZAZIE.com and were similarly denied equal access to its offerings due to the same systemic accessibility barriers.

Jurisdiction & Venue

This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 12182 because Plaintiff’s claims arise under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Venue is proper in this District under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b) and (c) because Defendant AZAZIE, INC., conducts substantial, continuous, and systematic business within this District through its highly interactive, public-facing Website.