Some news on the Target.com accessibility lawsuit via Yahoo! Finance yesterday. Federal District Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel has sustained the discrimination claims against Target and sets the precedent that retailers must make their websites accessible to the blind under the American Disability Act (ADA).
The court held: “the ‘ordinary meaning’ of the ADA’s prohibition against discrimination in the enjoyment of goods, services, facilities or privileges, is that whatever goods or services the place provides, it cannot discriminate on the basis of disability in providing enjoyment of those goods and services.” The court thus rejected Target’s argument that only its physical store locations were covered by the civil rights laws, ruling instead that all services provided by Target, including its Web site, must be accessible to persons with disabilities.
This legal wrangling over terms couldn’t happen in the UK because the Disability Discrimination Act specifically cites websites alongside traditional physical access to services.
Looks like Target intend to fight this, which is crazy because the legal bill will probably outstrip the cost of the remedial work? What do you make of this news?
Using my Holmes-esque skills of deduction I have the answer. Target are employing Chris Beasley as their legal counsel.
I despite lawsuits in general, but this is a step in the right direction. Who knows, demand for accessible web development may suddenly rise in the United States. That makes me happy.