More good news on ADA litigation

Carroll v. ROANOKE VALLEY COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION is the latest victory for credit unions arguing that the individuals seeking to bring claims against credit unions because their websites violate the ADA lack standing to bring these suits.

This case involved a blind individual who argued that the credit union’s website. Among other things lacked alternative text which prevented visitors from obtaining vocal descriptions of the credit union’s graphics. However, the court refused to address the merits of the claim, concluding that “Carroll does not allege that he actually uses or plans to use RVCCU’s services. And it is implausible that he would travel more than 200 miles to visit a RVCCU physical location when he has never done so before, has no immediate plans to do so, and falls outside RVCCU’s limited membership field.”

This case is noteworthy because the court rejected the plaintiff’s argument that even though he was not within the credit union’s field of membership, he nonetheless had standing as a “tester.” Under this argument, standing is available to test compliance with the ADA on behalf of others who might be eligible to join the credit union. The court quickly rejected this argument concluding that one status as a “tester” does not by itself establish standing.

 

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