US web accessibility case settled

Category: Accessibility

August 28th 08, 11:08

Online retailers may want to think more seriously about improving their website's accessibility to blind users following the settlement of a case involving US chain Target.

The retailer was sued by plaintiffs in California for allegedly failing to accommodate the needs of blind internet users through its website in 2006.

Now Target has reached a settlement that will see it pay $6 million (£2.7 million) in damages to those visually impaired web users who said they were unable to use its site when the class action lawsuit was first filed, as well as make accessibility improvements to its site to be monitored by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).

"It is our sincere hope that other businesses providing goods and services over the internet will follow Target's example and take affirmative steps to provide full access to their websites by blind consumers," said Dr Marc Maurer, president of the NFB.

Lawyer Julia Pinover of Disability Rights Advocates told the San Francisco Chronicle that online shopping sites are crucial to those who are unable to drive to traditional stores and malls and highlighted the fact that many online retailers still do not make their sites accessible to visually impaired consumers.

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.

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