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american airlines website
(Photo Credit: DenPhotos/Shutterstock)

A legally blind man says that the American Airlines website is impossible for him and others who are visually-impaired to use in a class action lawsuit filed last week.  

Lead plaintiff, Alex Hernandez accuses American Airlines of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the lawsuit lodged in California federal court. He claims that the airline could utilize readily accessible technology that would allow him and others who are blind or visually-impaired to use their website, but fails to do so.  

“In today’s tech-savvy world, blind and visually-impaired people have the ability to access websites using keyboards in conjunction with screen access software that vocalizes the visual information found on a computer screen,” explains the American Airlines website class action lawsuit. “This technology is known as screen-reading software.” 

Hernandez, a California resident, says that he is legally blind and visually-impaired. He says that he and others who are visually-impaired rely on screen readers to access content on the internet. To use screen readers, points out the plaintiff, websites must be equipped with the proper software.  

The American Airlines website does not feature the software Hernandez and other blind individuals need to access important information, including flight booking and status, information about checking bags, and other airline information, alleges the class action lawsuit.  

“Due to Defendant’s failure and refusal to remove access barriers on its website, Plaintiff and other visually-impaired persons have been and are still being denied equal and full access to Defendant’s information, purchasing flight tickets among other goods, and the numerous services and benefits offered to the public through Defendant’s Website,” states the American Airlines website lawsuit.  

Hernandez accuses American Airlines of violating accessibility requirements under the ADA, as well as his and other individuals’ civil rights under California law.  

The plaintiff seeks to represent those with visual-impairments nationwide, as well as a California subclass. He wants American Airlines to pay at least the minimum fine of $4,000 per violation under the ADA, as well attorney fees and court costs. Hernandez also wants American Airlines to update its website to ensure it is accessible to screen reading technology.  

Are you blind or visually impaired? Have you had issues attempting to access the American Airlines website? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below! 

The plaintiff is represented by Thiago Coelho, Jasmine Behroozan, and Binyamin Manoucheri of the Wilshire Law Firm.  

The American Airlines Website Class Action Lawsuit is Hernandez v. American Airlines, Inc., Case No. 3:21-cv-05590 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.


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3 thoughts onAmerican Airlines Website Inaccessible To Blind, Claims ADA Class Action Lawsuit

  1. Charlotte says:

    Add me

  2. Carmen Ahlers says:

    Add me. Legally blind in left eye

  3. Mary L Holt says:

    I am leagally blind and thats why i draw a dissability check.
    THEIR WEBSITE IS AWFUL …..U CANNOT MAGNIFY OE BLOW IT UP ENOUGH!

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