A notable 2018 case concerning the accessibility of a high-traffic e-commerce website, which led to a key decision regarding ADA Title III jurisdiction.
In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against Parkwood Entertainment, the company owned by global artist Beyoncé, alleging that the official website, Beyonce.com, violated the ADA. The plaintiff, a legally blind woman, claimed she was unable to access the site to browse and purchase merchandise due to barriers that prevented her screen-reading software from functioning correctly.
The site was alleged to have failed to meet WCAG standards, specifically concerning alt-text for images and navigable menus.
The core legal question revolved around the standard of accessibility required for high-volume, merchandise-focused websites and the lack of clarity surrounding ADA application in the Second Circuit.
Parkwood Entertainment chose to settle out of court, agreeing to a detailed remediation plan to bring the website into full compliance with **WCAG 2.1 Level AA** standards.
Although settled, the case reinforced the legal consensus that celebrity, retail, and entertainment websites must provide accessible e-commerce features. It also highlighted the growing expectation for **WCAG 2.1** compliance.
MOBILE
MANDATE
Confirmed compliance extends to all versions, including mobile interfaces.
This lawsuit is crucial for **entertainment and merchandise sites** and confirms that fame does not grant immunity from the ADA. More importantly, it solidified that **WCAG standards apply equally to mobile versions and apps**, which must be tested for accessibility just as rigorously as desktop sites.