In a groundbreaking legal move, a visually impaired woman has filed a lawsuit against a major retailer for failing to make its website accessible to individuals with disabilities. Camille Winfield-Newton lodged the complaint on February 10, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, targeting Footprint USA. The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by disabled individuals in accessing digital services.
Camille Winfield-Newton, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites, accuses Footprint USA of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and the California Disabled Persons Act. According to Winfield-Newton's complaint, Footprint USA's website is not designed to be fully accessible to visually impaired users. "Being unable to access websites puts individuals at a great disadvantage in today’s society," she argues. The plaintiff attempted to purchase boots online from Footprint USA on January 10, 2025, but encountered numerous barriers that prevented her from completing the transaction. These included non-descriptive interactive elements and missing status messages crucial for navigation using screen readers.
The lawsuit seeks more than just monetary compensation; it demands systemic changes. Winfield-Newton requests a permanent injunction requiring Footprint USA to work with an accessibility consultant to improve its website's usability for visually impaired consumers. She also seeks statutory damages under California law and coverage of her legal fees. Her case underscores the importance of web accessibility as an essential aspect of modern civil rights.
Winfield-Newton is represented by attorney Andrew J. Gramajo from AJG Law Group PC., while no specific attorneys are listed for Footprint USA in the document. The case is being overseen by the Superior Court of California under Case No.: CGC-25-622235.