A visually impaired woman has taken legal action against a major retail corporation, claiming its website is inaccessible to those with disabilities. Chelette Dewees filed the complaint on April 29, 2025, in the Superior Court of California for the County of Santa Clara against Walmart Inc., alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act.
Dewees, who is legally blind, relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites. She contends that Walmart's website fails to accommodate this technology, thereby denying her and others like her full access to its online services. The complaint highlights that Dewees attempted to use Walmart's website on April 24, 2025, intending to purchase a Mother's Day card and refill prescriptions but encountered barriers that made it impossible for her to complete these tasks. "Being unable to access websites puts individuals at a great disadvantage in today’s society," the lawsuit states, emphasizing the critical role of digital accessibility in modern life.
The lawsuit accuses Walmart of not designing or maintaining its website in a manner accessible to visually impaired users, which constitutes discrimination under both federal and state laws. Dewees argues that Walmart's failure to provide an accessible website denies her equal access to products and services available through their physical stores and online platform. She seeks injunctive relief requiring Walmart to overhaul its website accessibility policies and practices.
In addition to injunctive relief, Dewees demands statutory damages exceeding $12,500 and requests that Walmart implement ongoing monitoring and training programs for employees involved in web development. The complaint underscores the necessity for corporate policies ensuring continuous compliance with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Representing Dewees is attorney Andrew J. Gramajo from AJG Law Group PC. The case is presided over by judges from the Superior Court of California for Santa Clara County under Case No.: 29CV464611.