PITTSBURGH – A visually impaired woman has filed a class-action lawsuit against an electronics retailer alleging that its website is inaccessible to visually impaired people.
Michelle Sipe, along with Access Now Inc., Jill Gross and R. David New, filed a class-action complaint on Dec. 11 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Fry's Electronics Inc, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities ACt.
According to the complaint, Sipe and the plaintiffs are legally blind and require certain software to access the Internet. It is required by the ADA that all individuals, regardless of physical disability, have the ability to access websites, however, despite the requirement, the defendant's website allegedly was not compatible with Sipe's page-reading technology, which she says prevented her from using and enjoying the site.
Sipe and the class are seeking compensation for all damages and legal fees incurred. They are represented by R. Bruce Carlson, Benjamin J. Sweet and Stephanie K. Goldin of Carlson, Lynch, Sweet and Kilpela LLP in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:15-cv-01630