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GNC Website ADA Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A legally blind woman has filed a class action lawsuit against GNC Holdings.
- Why: She claims that she and other visually impaired consumers cannot access the website with screen readers and other technology, accusing the company of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Where: The class action lawsuit was lodged in California federal court
A blind woman says that she and other visually impaired Americans cannot access the GNC website with screen readers and other technology in a class action lawsuit filed in California federal court Wednesday.
Lead plaintiff, Mehan Downing wants to represent those with visual impairments that make them legally blind. She accuses GNC of creating an inaccessible website in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Downing says that she has attempted to access information on the GNC website using well known and readily available screen reading technology within the past year; however, the GNC website is not compatible with such technology.
She says that because she was unable to access information about the supplement and nutrition company through the GNC website, she was further deterred from visiting one of its physical locations.
Screen Readers Useless on GNC Website
“The Internet has become a significant source of information, a portal, and a tool for conducting business, doing everyday activities such as shopping, learning, banking, researching, as well as many other activities for sighted, blind, and visually-impaired persons alike,” points out the class action lawsuit.
The plaintiff says that she and others who rely on screen readers to access the internet run into “multiple access barriers” on the GNC website, such as the lack of “alt-text” that describe pictures or images, as well as empty or redundant links that make navigation difficult.
“Defendant has, upon information and belief, invested substantial sums in developing and maintaining Defendant’s website, and Defendant has generated significant revenue from Defendant’s website,” points out the class action lawsuit. “These amounts are far greater than the associated cost of making Defendant’s website equally accessible to visually impaired customers.”
Downing wants to represent a nationwide Class of consumers with visual impairments who tried to access the GNC website, as well as a California subclass. She is seeking damages on their behalf for alleged violations of the ADA. Further, she wants GNC to update its website to make it accessible to those using screen reading technology
GNC, which has also been accused of deceptive online pricing, joins a number of other companies that allegedly fail to make their websites and even their physical locations accessible to those with disabilities, including American Airlines, Toys “R” Us, and Wendy’s.
Have you had trouble accessing the GNC website? We want to hear about it! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Thiago M. Coelho, Jasmine Behroozan, and Binyamin Manoucheri of Wilshire Law Firm.
The GNC Website ADA Class Action Lawsuit is Downing v. GNC Holdings, LLC, Case No. 2:21-cv-06499 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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3 thoughts onGNC Website Inaccessible To Blind, Says ADA Class Action Lawsuit
I am leagally blind and disabled on account of this.
Its hard to see this website!
Add me
Add me