Metro

Blind woman sues 30 websites over handicap accessibility

A blind Manhattan woman recently filed individual lawsuits against more than 30 businesses she says are not handicap accessible online.

Maria Mendizabal, who is legally blind, claims that the Web sites for companies such as Nike, 24 Hour Fitness, De Beers, Barney’s, Donna Karan, and Kleinfeld Bridal aren’t compatible with screen-reading software that translates the written content into either audio or Braille.

“Unless websites are designed to be read by screen-reading software, blind and visually-impaired persons are unable to fully access websites, and the information, Products, and services contained thereon,” reads the suit against Barney’s, which is filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

While Mendizabal has lodged some 34 lawsuits, another disabled Manhattan man, Victor Lopez, has filed 21 against companies such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Swarovski, and B&H Photo.