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Christine Thomas v. Fair Harbor Clothing PBC

Filed

Case details

Standards cited
WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA

Summary

According to the complaint, Christine Thomas, a legally blind individual, is suing Fair Harbor Clothing PBC for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and related New York laws. She alleges that the company's website, www.fairharborclothing.com, is not accessible to blind users, preventing her from independently shopping for sustainable apparel. The complaint details multiple accessibility barriers encountered by Ms. Thomas, including missing alternative text for images and unlabeled buttons, which hindered her ability to navigate the site and complete purchases. Ms. Thomas seeks a permanent injunction to compel the defendant to make the website accessible and requests damages and attorney's fees.

About the defendant

Offers sustainable apparel and swimwear products through an interactive retail platform.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

  • Defendant's website is inaccessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
  • Plaintiff encountered multiple access barriers preventing her from completing purchases.
  • Defendant failed to provide a WCAG-compliant website.

Legal claims

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

  • Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182 et seq.
  • Violation of the New York State Human Rights Law
  • Violation of the New York City Human Rights Law
  • Violation of New York Civil Rights Law § 40-c
  • Violation of New York Civil Rights Law § 40-d

What the plaintiff asks for

What the plaintiff wants the court to order.

  • Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its Website accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
  • Statutory, compensatory, and/or actual damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.
  • Civil penalties where authorized by law.
  • Plaintiff’s reasonable attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and costs.

Proposed class

The group of people the plaintiff asks to represent, so the case can cover them too.

All legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access www.fairharborclothing.com and were denied full and equal access due to the Website's failure to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA accessibility standards.