US: Online-only retailer settles for DOJ over ADA violations

Online Internet grocer Peapod, LLC and parent company Ahold U.S.A., Inc. reached a settlement with the Department of Justice over charges that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act because its website and mobile app were inaccessible to those with disabilities.

Peapod provides consumers with the ability to remotely and independently browse, shop, and purchase groceries for home delivery. But a compliance review by the DOJ under Title III of the ADA found that disabled individuals were unable to fully participate in and benefit from the defendants’ services, the government alleged.

For example, the DOJ alleged that blind consumers, or those with limited vision, could not use Peapod’s site or apps because certain images, buttons, and form fields were unlabelled or had inaccurate alternative text. It further alleged that pop-up modal windows were not reported to screen readers, tables were missing header information, frames were not named or identified, and boldface type was used to show which fields were required.

Inaccurate captioning for videos on the site also rendered it unusable for deaf or hard-of-hearing customers, the DOJ said, and individuals with physical disabilities that would impact manual dexterity faced barriers because the Java script used on the site was not available to those who cannot make use of a mouse.

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Source: lexology.com