Caitlin Walsh v. ARCHIES FOOTWEAR, LLC

Case Summary

According to the complaint, plaintiff Caitlin Walsh, a visually impaired individual, alleges that Archies Footwear, LLC has failed to make its website, www.archiesfootwear.com, accessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint details multiple access barriers that prevent Walsh from independently navigating the site to purchase products, specifically flip-flops. Key issues include missing alt-text, broken links, and unclear labels for interactive elements. Walsh seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to comply with accessibility standards and to ensure that the website is usable for individuals with visual impairments. The lawsuit aims to represent all legally blind individuals who have faced similar barriers on the website.

Causes of Action

• Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182 et seq.
• Declaratory Relief

Key Allegations

• Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
• Plaintiff encountered barriers preventing her from purchasing products on the website.
• Defendant has failed to comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

Requested Relief

• Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its website accessible to blind individuals.
• Payment of nominal damages.
• Award of costs and expenses of this action.

Proposed Class

All legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Defendant’s Website and as a result have been denied access to the equal enjoyment of goods and services, during the relevant statutory period.

Jurisdiction & Venue

This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 12182; venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. §1391(b)(1) and (2).