By: Ashley S. Jenkins and Minh N. Vu
Seyfarth synopsis: The DOJ’s new step-by-step guidance for state and local governments on how to comply with new regulations that mandate accessible web content is also useful for public accommodations looking to make their websites and mobile apps accessible to individuals with disabilities.
In April 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) published
Continue Reading The DOJ Provides Practical Guidance on How to Implement a Digital Accessibility Program
By: John W. Egan and Minh N. Vu
Seyfarth Synopsis: A recent decision holding that web-only businesses cannot be sued over the accessibility of their website under the ADA is the first of its kind in the Southern District of New York and may cause forum-shopping serial plaintiffs and their counsel to shift to state court.
The Chief Judge Laura
Continue Reading SDNY Chief Judge to ADA Plaintiff: Court Closed for Business to Online-Only ADA Web CasesBy Kristina M. Launey & Minh N. Vu
Seyfarth Synopsis: Plaintiffs filed 2,794 website accessibility lawsuits in federal court in 2023 – a 14% decrease from 2022.
After 2022’s record-setting year for website accessibility lawsuits filed in federal court, the 2023 filings dropped by 14%. The total number of lawsuits filed in federal court alleging that plaintiffs with a disability
Continue Reading Federal Court Website Accessibility Lawsuit Filings Took a Dip in 2023
By Kristina Launey and John W. Egan
Seyfarth Synopsis: DOJ issues useful new Guide to help small governmental entities understand the new web and mobile app accessibility requirements under Title II of the ADA.
On May 22, 2024 the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) published a Small Entity Compliance Guide to help people who work for or with state or local
Continue Reading DOJ Issues “Small Entity Compliance Guide” for State and Local Government Web Content and Mobile App Accessibility
By Minh N. Vu and John Egan
Seyfarth Synopsis: The DOJ issued final regulations under Title II of the ADA requiring state and local government websites and mobile apps to conform to WCAG 2.1 AA in two or three years, with few exceptions.
Update: On April 24, 2024, the Final Rule was published in the Federal Register. Under the
Continue Reading DOJ Issues Final Rule Under Title II of the ADA for State and Local Government Websites
By Lotus Cannon and Minh Vu
Seyfarth Synopsis: SDNY Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismisses with prejudice a website accessibility lawsuit with vague allegations about plaintiffs’ standing.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) has been a highly favored venue for serial plaintiffs bringing website accessibility lawsuits for years – at least in part because many
Continue Reading SDNY Judge Gets Tough on Serial Website Plaintiffs
John W. Egan, Julia N. Sarnoff and Minh N. Vu
Seyfarth Synopsis: The W3C recently adopted Version 2.2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) which adds nine new success criteria for digital accessibility.
On October 5, 2023, the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C) issued Version 2.2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Version 2.2 is the third iteration
Continue Reading W3C Adds Nine New Requirements In WCAG 2.2
By Minh N. Vu & John W. Egan
Seyfarth Synopsis: SCOTUS’s refusal to clarify standing requirements for “tester” plaintiffs in ADA Title III lawsuits means it’s business as usual for the plaintiffs’ bar.
Yesterday, SCOTUS issued its decision in Acheson v. Laufer which – to the disappointment of private businesses and the defense bar – leaves unanswered the question of
Continue Reading SCOTUS Punts on Whether ADA “Testers” Have Standing in Acheson v. LauferSynopsis: SCOTUS denies serial plaintiff’s attempt to dismiss her case and avoid the court’s consideration of a critical legal issue in ADA Title III lawsuits – tester standing.
As we reported several weeks ago, serial plaintiff Deborah Laufer tried to evade the U.S. Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) consideration of a very important legal issue —the standing of
Continue Reading SCOTUS Refuses to Dismiss Acheson Hotels v. Laufer Case Before Oral Argument Set For October 4
By Kristina M. Launey & Minh N. Vu
Seyfarth Synopsis: AB 1757 would adopt WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the de facto standard for websites and mobile apps that can be accessed from California and impose liability for statutory damages on business establishments and website developers.
In a classic gut and amend move mid-way through the Legislative Session, on June
Continue Reading New California Assembly Bill on Website Accessibility Could Result in a Lawsuit Tsunami