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Lawsuit claims Beyoncé’s website violates federal disability law

A class-action lawsuit filed against Beyoncé’s management company claims her website is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), unable to be used by people who are visually impaired.

The lawsuit filed Thursday against Parkwood Entertainment alleges that the plaintiff is not able to use the website beyonce.com due to the fact that it lacks features required by law to help those who are visually impaired to be able to browse the internet, according to BuzzFeed News.

{mosads}”The one and only form of entertainment that truly presents an even playing field between the visually impaired and the sighted is the joy of music,” the complaint states. “Unfortunately, this is where the connection between artist and fan end — at least where the fan is blind or visually impaired.”

The website in question is a one-stop shop for all things Beyoncé, including tour information, a merchandise store and biographical information.

BuzzFeed reports that the plaintiff in the lawsuit is Mary Conner, who is legally blind and uses a computer with the help of screen-reading software.

The complaint alleges that Conner was unable to use the site because it did not have alternative text.

“Beyonce.com provides to the public a wide array of the goods, services, price specials, and other programs offered by Parkwood. Yet, Beyonce.com contains thousands of access barriers that make it difficult if not impossible for blind and visually impaired customers to use the website,” the complaint reads.

The ADA is a federal anti-discrimination law that protects individuals with disabilities “in all areas of public life.” It became law in 1990 and has since extended its interpretation to include websites.

Parkwood Entertainment did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

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