Dustin Youngren v. Vernon Powell Shoe Company

Summary

According to the complaint, Dustin Youngren, a visually impaired individual, is suing Vernon Powell Shoe Company for failing to make its website, vpshoes.com, accessible to blind users. Youngren alleges that the website contains numerous barriers that prevent him and others from independently navigating and completing purchases. These barriers include a lack of alternative text for images, improper heading structures, and reliance on mouse navigation, which is not usable for visually impaired individuals. Youngren seeks a permanent injunction to require the company to make its website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced by him and other class members under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

About the defendant

Provides an array of footwear and apparel for men, women, and kids, including athletic shoes, casual styles, dress shoes, boots, sandals, and accessories.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

• Website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals
• Failure to provide necessary accommodations for screen-reader users
• Significant access barriers prevent independent navigation and transactions

Legal claims

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

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

What the plaintiff asks for

What the plaintiff wants the court to order.

• Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make the Website accessible
• Compensatory damages for Class Members
• Certification of the case as a class action

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 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.