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Howard Wilson v. Columbus Running Company, LLC

Filed

Case details

Standards cited
WCAG 2.1

Summary

According to the complaint, Plaintiff HOWARD WILSON, a visually-impaired individual, is suing COLUMBUS RUNNING COMPANY, LLC for failing to make its website, www.columbusrunning.com, accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The plaintiff alleges that he encountered multiple barriers while attempting to purchase a running shoe, specifically the Brooks Men's Hyperion Max 3, which prevented him from accessing the website's goods and services. The complaint cites various access barriers, including missing alt-text and broken links, which hinder the use of screen-reading software. The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make its website accessible and to change corporate policies to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility standards.

About the defendant

A specialty retailer focused on serving runners with footwear, apparel, accessories, and service support, including fitting and training resources.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

  • Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
  • Plaintiff encountered barriers that denied full access to the website.
  • Defendant failed to comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

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.
  • Declaratory Relief

What the plaintiff asks for

What the plaintiff wants the court to order.

  • Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its website accessible.
  • Declaration that Defendant’s website discriminates against blind individuals.
  • Certification of the Class under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23.

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 Defendant’s Website and as a result have been denied access to the equal enjoyment of goods and services, during the relevant statutory period.