A visually impaired individual has taken legal action against a prominent bag manufacturer, alleging that the company's website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired users. Camille Winfield-Newton filed a complaint on May 8, 2025, in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco against Rickshaw Bagworks, Inc., asserting violations of several disability rights laws.
According to the complaint, Winfield-Newton, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites, attempted to access Rickshaw Bagworks' online store on April 25, 2025. She intended to purchase a laptop bag but encountered numerous barriers that prevented her from completing the transaction. The lawsuit claims that these barriers violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, and the California Disabled Persons Act. "Being unable to access websites puts individuals at a great disadvantage in today’s society," Winfield-Newton argues in her filing.
The plaintiff contends that Rickshaw Bagworks has failed to design its website in a manner that is compatible with screen-reading technology. This failure allegedly denies visually impaired consumers full and equal access to the products and services offered by the company both online and at its physical location. The lawsuit outlines various accessibility issues on the website, such as poorly descriptive alternative text for images and interactive elements that cannot be navigated using keyboard commands essential for screen-reader users.
Winfield-Newton seeks injunctive relief requiring Rickshaw Bagworks to make its website fully accessible. She requests that the court order the company to work with an agreed-upon consultant to improve web accessibility, provide training for employees involved in web development, conduct regular accessibility audits, and implement end-user testing by individuals with disabilities. Additionally, she seeks statutory damages under state law for each offense.
Representing Winfield-Newton is attorney Andrew J. Gramajo from AJG Law Group PC. The case was filed under Case No.: CGC-25-625194 in front of judges from the Superior Court of California for San Francisco County.