7526 3 3 econsultancy_xml <p>The complaint (<a href="http://www.publicjustice.net/briefs/hotelscom_complaint_052207.pdf">pdf</a>) argues that Hotels.com's failure to guarantee disabled access to the hotels it sells means passengers with wheelchairs may not be able to enter their room on arrival.</p> <p>The pair have asked that their complaint be made a class-action lawsuit so that it can represent all Californian customers.</p> <p>Kevin Knestrick, a Berkeley-based disability lawyer representing the two, <a href="http://cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2007/05/22/n/HeadlineNews/DISCRIMINATION-SUIT/resources_bcn_html">told Bay City News</a> that Hotels.com lumps accessibility in with "amenities" like king-sized beds but that accessibility is more of a necessity than an optional extra for customers with wheelchairs.</p> <p>The website, which is in the same stable as Ticketmaster and Citysearch, was founded in 1991 as a telephone reservations service but was bought by IAC/InterActiveCorp in 2003.</p> <p>Californian law states that all public places must be accessible to people with a disability.</p> <p>Although the UK's Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) <a href="http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_legalcase.hcsp">compels webmasters</a> to create websites accessible to all. The US' Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which similarly requires all public accommodations be accessible to disabled people, was <a href="http://www.out-law.com//default.aspx?page=8071">clarified</a> by a 2002 Florida ruling that said websites do not constitute public accommodations.</p> <FormattedContent xmlns="http://www.e-consultancy.com/schema/formattedContent/"> <Paragraph>The complaint (<Link URL="http://www.publicjustice.net/briefs/hotelscom_complaint_052207.pdf" Window="New">pdf</Link>) argues that Hotels.com's failure to guarantee disabled access to the hotels it sells means passengers with wheelchairs may not be able to enter their room on arrival.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>The pair have asked that their complaint be made a class-action lawsuit so that it can represent all Californian customers.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>Kevin Knestrick, a Berkeley-based disability lawyer representing the two, <Link URL="http://cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2007/05/22/n/HeadlineNews/DISCRIMINATION-SUIT/resources_bcn_html" Window="New">told Bay City News</Link> that Hotels.com lumps accessibility in with "amenities" like king-sized beds but that accessibility is more of a necessity than an optional extra for customers with wheelchairs.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>The website, which is in the same stable as Ticketmaster and Citysearch, was founded in 1991 as a telephone reservations service but was bought by IAC/InterActiveCorp in 2003.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>Californian law states that all public places must be accessible to people with a disability.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>Although the UK's Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) <Link URL="http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_legalcase.hcsp" Window="New">compels webmasters</Link> to create websites accessible to all. The US' Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which similarly requires all public accommodations be accessible to disabled people, was <Link URL="http://www.out-law.com//default.aspx?page=8071" Window="New">clarified</Link> by a 2002 Florida ruling that said websites do not constitute public accommodations.</Paragraph> </FormattedContent> 2007-05-23T11:53:00+01:00 2 1 econsultancy_xml <p> <strong>Travel e-tailer <a href="http://www.hotels.com">Hotels.com</a> is being sued by a group of disabled Californian dancers because it could not guarantee reservations for customers with wheelchairs.</strong> </p> <p>Bonnie Lewkowicz and Judith Smith of of the AXIS non-profit dance company filed a complaint in Alameda County Superior Court seeking an injunction that would force the internet store to account for disabled shoppers.</p> <FormattedContent xmlns="http://www.e-consultancy.com/schema/formattedContent/"> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Travel e-tailer <Link URL="http://www.hotels.com" Window="New">Hotels.com</Link> is being sued by a group of disabled Californian dancers because it could not guarantee reservations for customers with wheelchairs.</Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>Bonnie Lewkowicz and Judith Smith of of the AXIS non-profit dance company filed a complaint in Alameda County Superior Court seeking an injunction that would force the internet store to account for disabled shoppers.</Paragraph> </FormattedContent> false 1239 <p>Refer also to Econsultancy's <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/user-experience-buyers-guide">User Experience Buyer's Guide</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/effective-web-design-best-practice-guide">Effective Web Design Guide</a></strong> for more information about best practice in these areas.</p> <p>Refer also to Econsultancy's <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/user-experience-buyers-guide">User Experience Buyer's Guide</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/effective-web-design-best-practice-guide">Effective Web Design Guide</a></strong> for more information about best practice in these areas.</p> 363400 Hotels.com sued over disabled access false 2007-05-23T12:32:00+01:00 hotels-com-sued-over-disabled-access 2009-04-29T21:45:11+01:00 2009-10-13T09:04:35+01:00 400