Landmark web accessibility ruling in U.S.

On June 12, a Miami federal judge ruled that Winn-Dixie violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually impaired users.

The lawsuit was filed by blind Florida resident Juan Carlos Gil who uses screen reader software to access websites. Winn-Dixie operates nearly 500 grocery stores in the southeast United States. Judge Robert Scola ruled that the Winn-Dixie website is a place of public accommodation because of its integration with its stores such as downloading coupons, ordering prescriptions, and finding store locations.

The court order states “the website must be accessible by individuals with disabilities who use computers, laptops, tablets, and smart phones,” and content from third party vendors must also be fully accessible.

The estimated cost of $250,000 to make the website accessible was not consider by the court as an undue burden and “pales in comparison to the $2 million Winn-Dixie spent in 2015 to open the website and the $7 million it spent in 2016 to remake the website for the Plenti program.”

This case is especially important because it’s an actual trial with a federal ruling, not a settlement, and thus sets a legal precedent.

Related:

• Big Win for Blind Shopper in First U.S. ADA Web Accessibility Trial (LFLegal)
• A blind customer couldn’t use Winn-Dixie’s website. He sued. Changes are coming (Miami Herald)
• First Federal Court Rules That Having An Inaccessible Website Violates Title III Of The ADA (Seyfarth Shaw LLP)
• Verdict and Order (PDF)

Addendum:

• 6 Web Accessibility Takeaways from the Winn-Dixie Accessibility Decision by Cryptzone
• First-of-its-kind trial goes plaintiff’s way; Winn-Dixie ordered to update website for the blind by Legal Newsline
• Blind Plaintiff Prevails in First-of-Its-Kind ADA Website Accessibility Trial against Grocery Store Chain by JD Supra, LLC