Ace Hardware class action claims website not accessible to blind, visually impaired

Ace Hardware website class action overview: 

• Who: Ace Hardware is facing a class action lawsuit from plaintiff Julie Dalton related to the accessibility of its website.
• Why: Ace Hardware is accused of creating and operating a website that is inaccessible to those who are blind or visually impaired.
• Where: The Ace Hardware website class action was filed in federal court in Minnesota.

Ace Hardware is facing a class action lawsuit claiming that the company operates a website that is not fully accessible to those who are blind or visually impaired.

The Ace Hardware website has numerous barriers to the screen-reading technology that those who are blind or visually impaired use while accessing the internet. Those issues include a lack of identification on what links or buttons do.

The website also does not provide enough explanation of what non-text images on the website are when attempting to make a purchase. The website also has links that are dead ends for screen-reader users.

“People who are blind will not be able to understand the content or purpose of images, such as pictures, illustrations and charts when no text alternative is provided,” the Ace Hardware class action says. “Text alternatives convey the purpose of an image, including pictures, illustrations, charts, etc.” 

Lack of website accessibility affects 2.3% of Americans with visual impairment, lawsuit says

The screen-reader issues are a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as the company does not provide equal access to its website to the 2.3% of Americans who have visual issues, according to the class action.

Companies are required to maintain websites with software that translates the visual internet into an auditory equivalent, the lawsuit claims.

Walmart is facing a class action lawsuit in California claiming it has failed to design its website in a way that would make it fully accessible to and independently usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. 

Have encountered a website that does not function properly using a screen reader? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Jason D. Gustafson and Patrick W. Michenfelder of Throndset Michenfelder LLC.

The Ace Hardware website class action lawsuit is Dalton v. Ace Hardware Corp. d/b/a Ace Hardware, Case No. 0:23-cv-03470, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

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