Disability Activists: Can Suing Hotels Win You Justice in the High Court?

A recent case has been brought to the Supreme Court of the United States regarding whether individuals with disabilities can bring legal action against hotels after searching for them online. The case began when the plaintiff, who uses a wheelchair, attempted to book a room at two different hotels via their websites, but encountered problems with accessibility. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging violations of their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The case focuses on whether or not the plaintiff exhausted all administrative remedies that should be taken before filing a lawsuit, as there are certain hoops that plaintiffs must go through before they can take legal action. The plaintiff argued that they made reasonable attempts to try to remedy the situation before going to court; however, the lower courts all sided with the hotels and found that the plaintiff did not adequately exhaust their administrative remedies. The plaintiff thus appealed to the Supreme Court. The implications of this case are of national importance. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiff, it could open the door for more lawsuits by individuals with disabilities and would force websites to become more user-friendly for those with disabilities. It would also ensure that individuals with disabilities are not subjected to a lower standard of service than other customers. It is thus important for the Supreme Court to issue a ruling that is clear and consistent with the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This upcoming case has been highly anticipated by disability rights activists as it could be a step towards ensuring that websites are more accessible for those with disabilities. It also has the potential to create more legal recourse for individuals with disabilities who feel they have been victims of discrimination by hotels or other businesses. The outcome of this case will certainly be felt nationwide, and could potentially usher in a new era of inclusive online service.