Sandra Ford v. Bella Professionals, Inc.

Summary

According to the complaint, Sandra Ford, a visually impaired individual, is suing Bella Professionals, Inc. for failing to make their website, Sleekshop.com, accessible to blind and visually impaired users. The plaintiff alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent her from completing transactions independently, violating her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint details various accessibility issues, including lack of alt-text for images and reliance on mouse navigation, which hinder visually impaired users from accessing the site. The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced.

About the defendant

Bella Professionals provides a website that offers a wide range of beauty and hair care products, including cosmetics, styling tools, and professional salon products for online purchase.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

• Defendant's website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals.
• Plaintiff was denied the ability to complete a purchase on the website due to accessibility barriers.
• Defendant failed to implement necessary modifications to make the website accessible.

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.

• A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA.
• An order requiring Defendant to make the website fully compliant with the ADA.
• A declaration that the website discriminates against visually impaired individuals.

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 Sleekshop.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by Sleekshop.com, during the relevant statutory period.