Sandra Ford v. Asa Universal Inc.

Case Summary

According to the complaint, Sandra Ford, a visually impaired individual, is suing Asa Universal Inc. for failing to make its website, https://sonage.com, accessible to blind users. Ford alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent her and others from independently navigating and completing purchases. The complaint cites violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible, along with compensatory damages for affected individuals. Key issues include the lack of alt-text for images, improper focus order, and reliance on mouse navigation, which excludes visually impaired users from accessing the website's services.

Causes of Action

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

Key Allegations

• Website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals
• Failure to provide necessary accommodations for screen-reader users
• Denial of equal access to goods and services offered on the Website

Requested Relief

• Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit violations of the ADA
• Injunction requiring Defendant to make the Website accessible
• Declaration of discrimination against visually impaired individuals
• Class action certification
• Award of costs and expenses

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

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) due to substantial business conducted in this District.