Richard Johnson v. Smith Sport Optics, Inc.

Summary

According to the complaint, Richard Johnson, a legally blind individual, is suing Smith Sport Optics for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act due to the inaccessibility of their website, www.smithoptics.com. Johnson alleges that he encountered numerous barriers while attempting to access product information and make purchases, including missing alternative text and unlabeled buttons. He claims these issues prevent blind users from independently navigating the site and accessing the goods and services offered. Johnson seeks injunctive relief to require Smith Optics to make their website accessible and to certify a class of all legally blind individuals who have faced similar barriers.

About the defendant

Smith Optics specializes in performance eyewear, cycling eyewear, ski goggles, helmets, and outdoor sporting equipment, offering products designed for safety, clarity, and high-performance use.

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 numerous accessibility barriers while attempting to use the website.
• Defendant failed to implement WCAG-compliant remediation despite prior notice of accessibility issues.

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.
• New York State Human Rights Law
• Violation of New York State Civil Rights Law
• Violations of the New York City Human Rights Law
• Declaratory Relief

What the plaintiff asks for

What the plaintiff wants the court to order.

• A preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting Defendant from violating Title III of the ADA.
• A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make www.smithoptics.com fully accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
• A declaration that Defendant discriminates against blind individuals by failing to provide equal access as required by law.
• An order certifying the proposed Class and New York Subclass under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23.
• An award of costs, litigation expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

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.smithoptics.com and, as a result of Defendant’s failure to design, construct, maintain, and operate the Website in an accessible manner, were denied equal access to the goods, services, and information offered thereon.