Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
SpaceX, Blue Origin Website Inaccessibility Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A legally blind New York woman is suing SpaceX and Blue Origin.
- Why: Carmen Tavarez-Vargas tried to buy space-related merchandise on the aerospace companies’ websites but alleges they are not accessible to blind people.
- Where: The cases were filed in New York federal court.
A blind New York woman who wanted to buy space-exploration themed merchandise from aerospace companies SpaceX and Blue Origin says she was unable to because the companies’ websites are inaccessible to visually impaired people.
Plaintiff Carmen Tavarez-Vargas filed class action complaints against both SpaceX and Blue Origin Dec. 6, alleging violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act.Â
Across the two, near-identical lawsuits, Tavarez-Vargas says she tried to browse the space-exploration related merchandise sold on both spacex.com and shop.blueorigin.com.Â
However, she was prevented from buying the space gear she wanted as the websites were not made accessible to visually impaired people who use a screen reader to access web pages.
“Unless websites are designed to be read by screen-reading software, blind and visually impaired persons are unable to fully access websites, and the information, products, goods and services contained thereon,” the class action lawsuit states.
Plaintiff Seeks Equal Access to Websites and The Goods and Services Offered Thereon
Tavarez-Vargas alleges that both companies have a policy and practice of denying visually impaired people access to their websites.Â
“Due to Defendant’s failure and refusal to remove access barriers to its website, Plaintiff and the Class have been—and currently are—denied equal access to the website and the goods and services offered thereon,” the lawsuit says.
In both cases, Tavarez-Vargas is seeking an injunction forcing the companies to make their websites accessible, damages, interest, fees, expenses and a jury trial.
She’s looking to represent anyone in the United States who is blind or visually impaired who tried to access the space-related websites and were blocked due to the accessibility issues. According to the ADA, no person should be discriminated against on the basis of disability.Â
“The revenues procured by Defendant far exceed the associated cost of making the website equally accessible to visually-impaired consumers,” Tavarez-Vargas notes in the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, another recent class action lawsuit alleges Honda makes it nearly impossible for consumers with visual impairments to access its Acura websites.Â
What do you think of the claims in this case? Let us know in the comments!Â
The plaintiff is represented by Edward Y. Kroub, Jarrett S. Charo and William J. Downes of Mizrahi Kroub LLP.
The SpaceX Website Inaccessibility Class Action Lawsuit is Carmen Tavarez-Vargas v. Space Exploration Technologies Corp, Case No. 1:21-cv-10387, in the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York.
The Blue Origin Website Inaccessibility Class Action Lawsuit is Carmen Tavarez-Vargas v. Blue Origin, LLC Case No. 1:21-cv-10389, in the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
One thought on SpaceX, Blue Origin Class Action Says Company Websites Are Inaccessible to Blind, Visually Impaired People
Add my husband James Chenoweth