An increasing number of class action lawsuits have been filed over the past year against private companies by individuals alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for failure to maintain websites that are accessible to the blind and visually impaired. Since early 2015, approximately 240 lawsuits have been filed by a handful of plaintiffs’ firms against companies in the retail, hospitality, and financial services industries alleging ADA violations related to website accessibility. Most of these suits have resulted in settlements that, in addition to the payment of some amount of financial remuneration to the plaintiffs, require companies to make their websites ADA compliant. The steady shift in our economy from traditional brick-and-mortar stores to online commerce has brought increased attention to website accessibility. Given the increasing number of website accessibility suits, it is important for any company that maintains a web presence that constitutes a “place of public accommodation” to understand the requirements of the ADA.
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