Mejico v. Medialab.ai Inc.

Summary

On March 26, 2021, Brittney Mejico filed a Complaint in California State court against Medialab.AI Inc.. Plaintiff Brittney Mejico alleges that www.worldstarhiphop.com is not accessible per the WCAG 2.0 accessibility standard(s).

About the defendant

Medialab.AI Inc. is an online media company that owns and operates World Star Hip Hop an online media source covering rap, hip hop, R&B, urban culture, fashion, and related entertainment topics.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

• Missing alternative text which presents a problem because an image without alternative text results in an empty link. Alternative Text is invisible code embedded beneath a graphical image on a website.Web accessibility requires that Alternative Text be coded with each picture so that a screen reader canspeak the Alternative Text where a sighted user sees pictures. Alternative Text does not change thevisual presentation, but instead generates a text box that will pop-up when the mouse moves over thepicture. The lack of Alternative Text on these graphics prevents screen readers from accuratelyvocalizing a description of the graphics;
• Linked image missing alternative text which presents aproblem because an image without alternative text results in an empty link. Images that are the onlything within a link must have descriptive alternative text. If an image is within a link that contains notext and that image does not provide alternative text, a screen reader has no content to present to theuser regarding the function of the link;
• Spacer image missing alternative text which presents aproblem because a layout spacer image does not have an alt attribute. Spacer images are used tomaintain layout. They do not convey content and should be given null/empty alternative text (alt="")so they are not presented to users and are ignored by screen readers;
• Empty or missing form labelswhich presents a problem because, if a form control does not have a properly associated text label, thefunction or purpose of that form control may not be presented to screen reader users. Form labelsprovide visible descriptions and larger clickable targets for form controls;
• Empty links whichpresent a problem because a link contains no text. If a link contains no text, the function or purpose ofthe link will not be presented to the user. This can introduce confusion for keyboard and screen readerusers; and
• Redundant Links where adjacent links go to the same URL address which results inadditional navigation and repetition for keyboard and screen reader users.

Legal claims

The laws the plaintiff says the defendant broke, called causes of action.

• Violations of the Unruh Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code § 51 et seq.

What the plaintiff asks for

What the plaintiff wants the court to order.

• For a judgment that Defendant violated Plaintiff’s rights under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code § 51 et seq.
• For a preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to take the steps necessary to make the Websites readily accessible to and usable by visually-impaired individuals, but Plaintiff hereby expressly limit the injunctive relief to require the Defendant expend no more than $20,000 as the cost of injunctive relief;
• An award of statutory minimum damages of $4,000 per violation pursuant to section 52(a) of the California Civil Code, however, Plaintiff expressly limit the total amount of recovery, including statutory damages, attorneys' fees and costs, and cost of injunctive relief not to exceed $74,999;
• For attorneys’ fees and expenses pursuant to all applicable laws including, without limitation, California Civil Code § 52(a); however, Plaintiff expressly limits the total amount of recovery, including statutory damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and cost of injunctive relief not t exceed $74,999;
• For pre-judgment interest to the extent permitted by law;
• For costs of suit; and
• For such other and further relief as the Court Deems just and proper.