Paul Abramson, a visually-impaired individual, has filed a class action lawsuit against Netflix, Inc., alleging that the company's website for The Paris Theater is not accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on October 16, 2024. Abramson claims that Netflix's failure to make its website accessible violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other state laws.
Abramson, who requires screen-reading software to access web content, argues that Netflix's website, Paristheaternyc.com, is riddled with barriers that prevent him and others like him from independently navigating or using it. He highlights issues such as missing alternative text for images, inaccessible drop-down menus, and interactive elements that cannot be accessed via keyboard alone. These barriers effectively deny blind users equal access to information about The Paris Theater's services and offerings available to sighted users.
"Netflix excludes the blind and visually-impaired from full participation in the growing Internet economy," Abramson states in his complaint.
The lawsuit accuses Netflix of violating Title III of the ADA by failing to provide reasonable accommodations on its website. It also cites violations of New York State Human Rights Law and New York City Human Rights Law. According to Abramson, despite readily available technology solutions that could make websites accessible, Netflix has chosen not to implement them. This choice results in ongoing discrimination against blind individuals who are unable to enjoy the same online experiences as their sighted counterparts.
Abramson seeks a permanent injunction requiring Netflix to modify its website policies and practices so that Paristheaternyc.com becomes fully accessible to blind consumers. Additionally, he seeks compensatory damages for unlawful discrimination suffered by himself and other class members due to these accessibility barriers.
Representing Paul Abramson is attorney Gabriel A. Levy from Manhasset, NY. Case ID 1:24-cv-7252.