Blind Man Sues Hill Country, Manhattan Mall Over ‘Discriminatory’ Websites

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A blind individual has filed two separate lawsuits against the operating companies of Hill Country restaurants and Manhattan Mall New York, respectively. He alleges that the companies have failed to make their websites accessible to blind people who use screen readers and have denied them equal access to the goods and services offered on the sites. The complaints indicate that the restaurant and mall websites are “heavily integrated” with their physical locations and offer necessary information about locations, hours of operation, and special promotions. The plaintiff claims he was unable to travel to the physical restaurants and the mall because he could not determine where and when to visit.

According to the suit, the websites lack alternative text that indicates to screen readers what images are displayed on the site and allows blind individuals to determine the site content. In addition, the sites allegedly contain “empty links” that contain no text and redundant links that result in needless repetition for blind users. The suit alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and various state laws.