For Americans with Disabilities, Court Fights for Equality Ensnared in Internet Loopholes

Excerpt from: Campus Progress (click for full article)

 

The popular website eBay is a boon for amateur sellers, creating a digital economy where individuals can freely exchange resources. But it has also become a source of controversy for patrons like Melissa Earll, a deaf woman who is unable to sell her extensive collection of sports memorabilia due to eBay’s verification system, which requires sellers to retrieve passwords via telephone call.

“Ebay keeps me from taking advantage of the opportunities that other people have and it’s because I couldn’t hear,” Earll told WDAF-TV news in early January.

Earll filed suit against eBay in response, alleging that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not providing adequate accommodations for her hearing impairment.

U.S. District Judge Edward DaVila dismissed the complaint in May 2012, however, stating in his order that Earll’s case “does not sufficiently plead intentional discrimination” under the ADA.

Comments

[stairlifts]

There is definately a lot to find out about this issue. I love all the points you made.

[Patti Dudek]

Thank you!!