SANCHEZ v. GRIZZLY GRIPTAPE LLC

    Plaintiff

    • Name: Christian Sanchez
    • Filing date: December 18, 2020
    • State of filing: New York

    Defendant

    • Name: Grizzly Griptape LLC
    • Website: www.grizzlygriptape.com
    • Industry: Leisure Products
    • Summary: Grizzly manufactures and sells grip tape for skateboards as well as related apparel and accessories.

    Case Summary

    On December 18, 2020, Christian Sanchez filed a Complaint in New York Federal court against Grizzly Griptape LLC. Plaintiff Christian Sanchez alleges that www.grizzlygriptape.com is not accessible per the WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1 accessibility standard(s).

    Case Details

    Plaintiff alleges issues in its Complaint including the following:

    • Lack of Alternative Text (“alt-text”), or a text equivalent. Alt-text is an invisible code embedded beneath a graphical image on a website. Web accessibility requires that alt-text be coded with each picture so that screen-reading software can speak
      the alt-text where a sighted user sees pictures, which includes captcha prompts. Alt text does not change the visual presentation, but instead a text box shows when the cursor moves over the picture. The lack of alt-text on these graphics prevents screen readers from accurately vocalizing a description of the graphics.
    • Empty Links That Contain No Text causing the function or purpose of the link to not be presented to the user. This can introduce confusion for keyboard and screen reader users;
    • Redundant Links where adjacent links go to the same URL address which results in additional navigation and repetition for keyboard and screen-reader users; and
    • Linked Images Missing Alt-text, which causes problems if an image within a link contains no text and that image does not provide alt-text. A screen reader then has no content to present the user as to the function of the link, including information contained in PDFs.
    • The website contains images that are improperly or mislabeled. For example, product image found on the website's main page does not contain text describing the image and the alternate text lacks a description and provide "link" as its related description. This issue described causes the screen reader to misinterpret the image and as thus
      not allow the user to understand what information is being presented.
    • Product information such as the price is not labeled to integrate with the screen reader. The information is not accessible, therefore, bars the user from knowing the price the item is being offered at.
    • The website contains buttons that are improperly or mislabeled. Specifically, next/forward buttons. The alternate text lacks a description and provides only the word "button" as its related description. This lack of information prevents the user from understanding the purpose of the
      button.
    • Products are offered on the website in different sizes. The size option is not labeled to integrate with the screen reader. Only the first size from all six options is accessible, however, it is mislabeled and provides "Cap S radio button selected 1 of 6" as a description. These issues bars the user from understanding what "Cap S radio button selected 1 of 6" stand
      for and from selecting specific size. 

    Plaintiff asserts the following cause(s) of action in its Complaint:

    • VIOLATIONS OF THE ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq.
    • VIOLATIONS OF THE NYSHRL
    • VIOLATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE CIVIL RIGHTS LAW
    • VIOLATIONS OF THE NYCHRL
    • DECLARATORY RELIEF

    Plaintiff seeks the following relief by way of its Complaint:

    • A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12182, et seq., N.Y. Exec. Law § 296, et seq., N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-107, et seq., and the laws of New York;
    • A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to take all the steps necessary to make its Website into full compliance with the requirements set forth in the ADA, and its implementing regulations, so that the Website is readily accessible to and usable by blind individuals;
    • A declaration that Defendant owns, maintains and/or operates its Website in a manner that discriminates against the blind and which fails to provide access for persons with disabilities as required by Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12182, et seq., N.Y. Exec. Law § 296, et seq.,
      N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-107, et seq., and the laws of New York
    • An order certifying the Class and Sub-Classes under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a) & (b)(2) and/or (b)(3), appointing Plaintiff as Class Representative, and his attorneys as Class Counsel;
    • Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined by proof, including all applicable statutory and punitive damages and fines, to
    • Plaintiff and the proposed class and subclasses for violations of their civil rights under New York State Human Rights Law and City Law;
    • Pre- and post-judgment interest;
    • An award of costs and expenses of this action together with
      reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees; and
    • Such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper. 

    Comments