A visually-impaired individual has taken legal action against a prominent hotel chain, alleging that its website is inaccessible to blind users. Victor Andrews filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on September 9, 2024, against Highgate Hotels, L.P.
Andrews, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to navigate websites, claims that Highgate Hotels' website (https://www.westhousehotelnewyork.com) is riddled with accessibility barriers. These barriers prevent him and other visually-impaired individuals from accessing essential information and services offered by the hotel. The lawsuit highlights several specific issues with the website, including inaccurate landmark structures, ambiguous link texts, lack of alt-text on graphics, and elements that require mouse interaction—an impossible task for those relying solely on keyboard navigation.
Andrews recounted his personal experience attempting to use the Westhouse Hotel's website on July 9, 2024. His efforts were thwarted by numerous accessibility errors that made it impossible for him to complete a reservation or gather pertinent information about the hotel's location and services. This denial of access has caused significant inconvenience and frustration for Andrews and others in similar situations.
The plaintiff asserts that these accessibility issues violate both federal and state laws designed to protect individuals with disabilities. According to Andrews, Highgate Hotels' failure to provide an accessible website constitutes discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as New York State Human Rights Law and New York City Human Rights Law. He emphasizes that despite readily available technology and established guidelines for making websites accessible—such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2—the defendant has chosen not to implement these necessary changes.
In his complaint, Andrews seeks a permanent injunction requiring Highgate Hotels to modify its website so it becomes fully accessible to blind users. Additionally, he requests compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced similar discrimination. The lawsuit also calls for reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with bringing this action.
Representing Andrews in this case is Asher Cohen of Asher Cohen PLLC. Case ID 1:24-cv-6300.