MARTINEZ v. ROWING BLAZERS LTD.

    Plaintiff

    • Name: Pedro Martinez
    • Filing date: March 15, 2021
    • State of filing: New York

    Defendant

    • Name: Rowing Blazers Ltd.
    • Website: www.rowingblazers.com
    • Industry: Apparel
    • Summary: Rowing blazers manufactures and sells classic, prep themed apparel and accessories.

    Case Summary

    On March 15, 2021, Pedro Martinez filed a Complaint in New York Federal court against Rowing Blazers Ltd.. Plaintiff Pedro Martinez alleges that www.rowingblazers.com is not accessible per the WCAG 2.1, Section 508 accessibility standard(s).

    Case Details

    Plaintiff alleges issues in its Complaint including the following:

    • lack of alt-text on graphics,
    • inaccessible drop-down
      menus, the lack of navigation links,
    • the lack of adequate prompting and labeling,
    • the denial of keyboard access,
    • empty links that contain no text,
    • redundant links where adjacent links go to the
      same URL address, and
    • the requirement that transactions be performed solely with a mouse. 

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

    • Violation of 42 U.S.C. §§ 12181 et seq. – Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Violation of New York State Human Rights Law, N.Y. Exec. Law Article 15 (Executive Law § 292 et seq.)
    • Violation of New York State Civil Rights Law, NY CLS Civ R, Article 4 (CLS Civ R § 40 et seq.)
    • Violation of New York City Human Rights Law, N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-102, et seq.
    • 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., and 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 App into full compliance with the requirements set forth in the ADA, and its implementing regulations, so that the App is readily accessible to and usable by blind individuals;
    • A declaration that Defendant owns, maintains and/or operates its App in a manner which 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., and N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-107, et seq., and the laws of New York;
    • An order directing Defendants to continually update and maintain its App to ensure that it remains fully accessible to and usable by the visually-impaired;
    • Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined by proof, including all applicable statutory damages and fines, to Plaintiff for violations of their civil rights under New York State Human Rights Law and City Law;
    • Plaintiff’s reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, and costs of suit as provided by state and federal law;
    • For pre- and post-judgment interest to the extent permitted by law; and
    • For such other and further relief which this court deems just and proper.

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