Richard Johnson v. Smith Sport Optics, Inc.

Case Summary

According to the complaint, Richard Johnson, a legally blind individual, is suing Smith Sport Optics for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act due to the inaccessibility of their website, www.smithoptics.com. Johnson alleges that he encountered numerous barriers while attempting to access product information and make purchases, including missing alternative text and unlabeled buttons. He claims these issues prevent blind users from independently navigating the site and accessing the goods and services offered. Johnson seeks injunctive relief to require Smith Optics to make their website accessible and to certify a class of all legally blind individuals who have faced similar barriers.

Causes of Action

• Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182 et seq.
• New York State Human Rights Law
• Violation of New York State Civil Rights Law
• Violations of the New York City Human Rights Law
• Declaratory Relief

Key Allegations

• Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
• Plaintiff encountered numerous accessibility barriers while attempting to use the website.
• Defendant failed to implement WCAG-compliant remediation despite prior notice of accessibility issues.

Requested Relief

• A preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting Defendant from violating Title III of the ADA.
• A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make www.smithoptics.com fully accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
• A declaration that Defendant discriminates against blind individuals by failing to provide equal access as required by law.
• An order certifying the proposed Class and New York Subclass under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23.
• An award of costs, litigation expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

Proposed Class

All legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access www.smithoptics.com and, as a result of Defendant’s failure to design, construct, maintain, and operate the Website in an accessible manner, were denied equal access to the goods, services, and information offered thereon.

Jurisdiction & Venue

This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 because Plaintiff’s claims arise under the laws of the United States, including Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.