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Accessibility.com, LLC

SANCHEZ v. ROYAL CUP, INC.

Filed March 17, 2021

Plaintiff

  • Name: Cristian Sanchez
  • Filing date: March 17, 2021
  • State of filing: New York

Defendant

  • Name: Royal Cup Inc.
  • Website: store.royalcupcoffee.com
  • Industry: Beverages
  • Summary: Royal Cup is a coffee roasting company selling whole bean, ground, and K-cup coffee for home, restuarant, and office brewing.

Case Summary

On March 17, 2021, Cristian Sanchez filed a Complaint in New York Federal court against Royal Cup Inc.. Plaintiff Cristian Sanchez alleges that store.royalcupcoffee.com is not accessible per the WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1 accessibility standard(s).

Case Details

Plaintiff alleges issues in its Complaint including the following:

  • Lack of Alternative Text (“alt-text”), or a text equivalent. Alt-text is an invisible code embedded beneath a graphical image on a website. Web accessibility requires that alt-text be coded with each picture so that screen-reading software can speak the alt-text where a sighted user sees pictures, which includes captcha prompts. Alt- text does not change the visual presentation, but instead a text box shows when the cursor moves over the picture. The lack of alt-text on these graphics prevents screen readers from accurately vocalizing a description of the graphics.
  • Empty Links That Contain No Text causing the function or purpose of the link to not be presented to the user. This can introduce confusion for keyboard and screen- reader users;
  • Redundant Links where adjacent links go to the same URL address which results in additional navigation and repetition for keyboard and screen-reader users; and
  • Linked Images Missing Alt-text, which causes problems if an image within a link contains no text and that image does not provide alt-text. A screen reader then has no content to present the user as to the function of the link, including information contained in PDFs.
  • The logo and the home icon links found on this site, which acts as links to the homepage, is not labeled as the homepage link. For example, the home icon link is labeled as "link, space". Where the links ("logo and home icon") will operate properly (taking the user back to the home
    page), the missing label prevents the user from accessing the
    information.
  • Site functions such as next/previous buttons are mislabeled. The alternate text provides "space" with no other description, therefore, bars the user from understanding what the "space" is referring to Carousel with rotating banners is not labeled to integrate with the screen
    reader. the banners are not accessible thus, bars the user from accessing
    the information the site is to convey.
  • The website permits the user to buy quantities of its product greater than one. The quantity option is not properly labeled. The alternate text provides "edit one scan off" with no other description

Plaintiff asserts the following cause(s) of action in its Complaint:

  • VIOLATIONS OF THE ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq.
  • VIOLATIONS OF THE NYSHRL
  • VIOLATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE CIVIL RIGHTS LAW
  • VIOLATIONS OF THE NYCHRL
  • DECLARATORY RELIEF

Plaintiff seeks the following relief by way of its Complaint:

  • A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12182, et seq., N.Y. Exec. Law § 296, et seq., N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-107, et seq., and the laws of New York;
  • A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to take all the steps necessary to make its Website into full compliance with the requirements set forth in the ADA, and its implementing regulations, so that the Website is readily accessible to and usable by blind individuals;
  • A declaration that Defendant owns, maintains and/or operates its Website in a manner that discriminates against the blind and which fails to provide access for persons with disabilities as required by Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12182, et seq., N.Y. Exec. Law § 296, et seq.,
    N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-107, et seq., and the laws of New York
  • An order certifying the Class and Sub-Classes under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a) & (b)(2) and/or (b)(3), appointing Plaintiff as Class Representative, and his attorneys as Class Counsel;
  • Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined by proof, including all applicable statutory and punitive damages and fines, to
  • Plaintiff and the proposed class and subclasses for violations of their civil rights under New York State Human Rights Law and City Law;
  • Pre- and post-judgment interest;
  • An award of costs and expenses of this action together with
    reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees; and
  • Such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper. 

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