Howard Wilson v. Office Anything.com, Inc.

Case Summary

According to the complaint, Howard Wilson, a visually impaired individual, is suing OFFICE ANYTHING.COM, INC. for failing to make its website, www.officeanything.com, accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Wilson alleges that he encountered numerous barriers while attempting to access the website to purchase a lounge chair, which prevented him from enjoying the same shopping experience as sighted individuals. The complaint cites specific access barriers such as missing alt-text and broken links. Wilson seeks a permanent injunction requiring the defendant to comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines to ensure accessibility for blind users.

Causes of Action

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

Key Allegations

• Defendant’s website is not equally accessible to blind and visually impaired consumers.
• Plaintiff encountered barriers that denied full access to the website.
• Defendant failed to construct and maintain a website that is accessible to visually impaired individuals.

Requested Relief

• A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its website fully compliant with the ADA.
• A declaration that Defendant's website discriminates against the blind.

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).