Kendrick Vaughn v. Daniel Wellington Inc.

Case Summary

According to the complaint, Kendrick Vaughn, a visually impaired individual, is suing Daniel Wellington Inc. for failing to make its website accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Vaughn alleges that the website contains significant access barriers that prevent blind and visually impaired users from independently navigating and completing purchases. The complaint cites various accessibility issues, including lack of alternative text for images and reliance on mouse navigation, which excludes visually impaired individuals from equal access to the goods and services offered. Vaughn seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced.

Causes of Action

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

Key Allegations

• Website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals
• Access barriers prevent independent navigation and purchasing
• Defendant failed to provide necessary accommodations for screen-reader users

Requested Relief

• Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA
• Injunction requiring Defendant to make the Website compliant with the ADA
• Declaration that the Website discriminates against the visually impaired
• Order certifying this case as a class action
• Pre- and post-judgment interest
• Award of costs and expenses of this action together with reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees

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).