Dustin Youngren v. Vernon Powell Shoe Company

Case Summary

According to the complaint, Dustin Youngren, a visually impaired individual, is suing Vernon Powell Shoe Company for failing to make its website, vpshoes.com, accessible to blind users. Youngren alleges that the website contains numerous barriers that prevent him and others from independently navigating and completing purchases. These barriers include a lack of alternative text for images, improper heading structures, and reliance on mouse navigation, which is not usable for visually impaired individuals. Youngren seeks a permanent injunction to require the company to make its website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced by him and other class members under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Causes of Action

• Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Declaratory Relief

Key Allegations

• Website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals
• Failure to provide necessary accommodations for screen-reader users
• Significant access barriers prevent independent navigation and transactions

Requested Relief

• Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make the Website accessible
• Compensatory damages for Class Members
• Certification of the case as a class action

Proposed Class

All legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access the Website and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by the Website, 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).