Orleans Waterfront Inn, Orleans MA

Orleans Waterfront Inn, Orleans MA

There are some pretty happy innkeepers in Cape Cod recently. Why? Because a lawsuit against them and their non-compliant websites has been dropped.

But only because the complainer died.

In his complaint against the Orleans Waterfront Inn, Robert Petropoulos believed that the inn discriminated against him. Why? He said that the discrimination was through the inn’s failure to allow ADA-compliant reservations,

Testers – In the suit filed against the Orleans Waterfront Inn, Petropoulos is described as “a tester” who takes time “monitoring, ensuring, and determining whether places of public accommodation, including online reservation systems for places of lodging, are in compliance with the ADA.”

“Testers” have recently been considered viable to file against inn websites that are not ADA-compliant.

These four businesses and all the other lodging properties on the Cape are still targets if they haven’t made sure their websites are ADA-compliant. Why? Because everyone in this “testing” business can find these vulnerable inns – all they need to do is toset up a Google alert.

The owner of one of the inns filed against – The Orleans Waterfront Inn – was quoted by the November 30 Cape Cod Chronicle as saying, “If this guy filed a thousand of these throughout the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and was looking to get a $10,000 settlement from everyone, that’s $10 million…”

The suits filed took specific issue with the hotels’ websites, and not the handicap accessibility of the establishments themselves.

Dune Crest Hotel, North Turo MA

Dune Crest Hotel, North Turo MA

FAQs

Here are some common questions people ask about making a website ADA compliant:

  1. What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how does it apply to websites?
  2. How can I make my website accessible to people with disabilities?
  3. What are some specific steps I can take to ensure my website is compliant with the ADA?
  4. Are there any guidelines or standards that I should follow when designing an accessible website?
  5. What are some common accessibility issues that websites face and how can I address them?
  6. Are there any tools or resources available that can help me make my website more accessible?
  7. How can I test my website for accessibility and ensure that it meets the requirements of the ADA?
  8. Are there any penalties or consequences for non-compliance with the ADA in terms of website accessibility?
  9. How can I ensure that my website remains compliant with the ADA over time, as technology and accessibility standards change?
  10. Are there any best practices or examples of websites that have successfully implemented accessibility features?
  11. Why do some people known as “testers” open lawsuits multiple times against businesses with non ADA compliant websites? There’s a number of reasons. One reason is to ensure that businesses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and make their websites accessible to individuals with disabilities. The ADA is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, and applies to websites. When a website is not accessible to individuals with disabilities, it is in violation of the ADA and can be subject to legal action.Sometimes people act as “testers” or “drive-by” plaintiffs, who are not personally affected by the lack of accessibility, but look for non-compliant websites to sue on the behalf of people with disabilities who might be affected by the inaccessibility. They might also be motivated by financial gain. Some human ADA testers may see the potential for financial compensation through lawsuits as a way to make a living, almost a professional job. Often companies may choose to settle lawsuits rather than go through the costly legal process. Accessibility should be a priority for businesses, not only to comply with the law, but also to ensure that all customers have a positive experience on the website.

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    From our Satisfied Clients…

    God I love you! – Do you treat everyone like this or do you just feel sorry for me?”
    Penn, Innkeeper
    Wish I Would Have Done This Years Ago - “We worked together so well and made my website reflect the image I hoped for. I wish I had done this years earlier!”
    California
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