In a significant legal move, a visually-impaired individual has filed a lawsuit against a Delaware-based company for allegedly failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. Jesus Torres, the plaintiff, lodged the complaint on February 24, 2025, in the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County against Rooster & Rice IP LLC. The lawsuit accuses the company of violating both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act by not ensuring that its website is fully accessible to individuals who rely on screen-reading software.
The plaintiff, Jesus Torres, claims that he encountered numerous barriers when attempting to use Rooster & Rice's website with his screen-reading software. According to the complaint, these barriers include unlabeled graphics and buttons, insufficient navigational headings, and an inaccessible order system. "Plaintiff was unable to place an order for pick up because of an inaccessible order system," states the complaint. These obstacles have allegedly deterred Torres from accessing both the website and Rooster & Rice's physical locations in San Francisco County.
Torres argues that Rooster & Rice's failure to provide an accessible website constitutes unlawful discrimination under federal and state laws designed to protect individuals with disabilities. The ADA mandates that places of public accommodation must offer their services on a full and equal basis to individuals with disabilities. Similarly, California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act guarantees equal access for people with disabilities to all business establishments. By maintaining an inaccessible website, Torres alleges that Rooster & Rice is systematically violating these laws.
The lawsuit seeks several forms of relief from the court. Primarily, Torres is asking for a permanent injunction requiring Rooster & Rice to modify its corporate policies so that its website becomes accessible to blind and visually-impaired consumers. Additionally, Torres seeks statutory damages amounting to at least $4,000 per violation as well as reasonable attorneys' fees and litigation costs.
Representing Jesus Torres is attorney Joseph R. Manning Jr., Esq., from Manning Law APC. The case has been assigned Case No.: CGC-25-622724 in the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County.