ADA Compliance for Business Websites

A recent court case concluded that a Pizza chain violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not offering a fully accessible web site to a visually impaired individual.  This decision has far reaching impact on ADA compliance for business websites with physical place of accommodation.

Guillermo Robles v. Domino’s Pizza LLC

The Plaintiff – Mr. Robles – alleged that he attempted to order pizza from Domino’s Piazza website on several occasions between 2015 and 2017 but was unable to do so.  Since Mr. Robles is blind, he relied on his screen-reader software to access the online ordering system on his computer and smartphone.   The court ruled that any business website with a physical place of public accommodation is subject to ADA.

Title III of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination by public accommodations.  It states that no individual shall be discriminated based on disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation. 

Impact on Business web sites

Any business with physical presence that offers goods or services through its web site will need to assure that it is accessible to persons with disabilities.  For example, a builder with a physical showroom that allows a potential buyer to select interior finishes, appliances or home furnishings on its website will need to assure that all potential buyers have the same opportunity to select their preferences.

Title Image by Peter Forster, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.