ROMERO v. SAKAR INTERNATIONAL, INC.

    Plaintiff

    • Name: Josue Romero
    • Filing date: November 3, 2020
    • State of filing: New York

    Defendant

    • Name: Sakar International, Inc.
    • Website: www.vivitar.com
    • Industry: Consumer Goods
    • Summary: Sakar International manufactures and sells cameras, lenses, and electronics under the Vivitar brand name.

    Case Summary

    On November 3, 2020, Josue Romero filed a Complaint in New York Federal court against Sakar International, Inc.. Plaintiff Josue Romero alleges that www.vivitar.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 telephone number provided on the website lacks a full description. It is read as a number; however, it does not specify it is a telephone number thus barring the user from contacting the company for assistance.
    • Links located in the upper right-hand corner of the website like shopping cart, account and search are not labeled properly. The flaws create issues for the interpretation performed by the screen reader and, therefore, bars the user from understanding the information the website is to report back to the user.
    • Product images have text that describe the item, whether it is in stock, the original price and sale price. This information is not accessible while using the keyboard for navigation barring the user vital information needed to make a purchase.
    • When using a keyboard for navigation, the sub-menus, found from the menu options of the Main menu are inaccessible by screen readers and are ineffective in either communicating what they contain or provide any information to the user so that they are aware of what is occurring on the website.

    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
    • VIOLATIONS 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.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.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 City 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

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