Case: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco v. Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

4:20-cv-09020 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Dec. 16, 2020

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On September 17, 2020, the Disability Rights Advocates filed this lawsuit in the San Francisco County Superior Court on behalf of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired—a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of persons who are blind or have low vision—and two of its employees. The plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against Automatic Data Processing (“ADP”), a payroll processing and human resources corporation. The complaint alleged that ADP failed to make their products and servi…

On September 17, 2020, the Disability Rights Advocates filed this lawsuit in the San Francisco County Superior Court on behalf of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired—a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of persons who are blind or have low vision—and two of its employees. The plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against Automatic Data Processing (“ADP”), a payroll processing and human resources corporation. The complaint alleged that ADP failed to make their products and services accessible to blind and visually impaired employees in violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act as well as California’s unfair competition law. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses. On December 16, 2020, ADP removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on the basis of diversity jurisdiction. Upon removal, the case was assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler, but was reassigned to U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. approximately two weeks later.

On January 21, 2021, the parties sought to stay the litigation to facilitate negotiations, and the court granted the stipulation the following day. Approximately eight months later, the parties notified the court that they had reached an agreement to resolve this action. 

The parties entered into a structured settlement agreement, effective as of October 21, 2021. Per the agreement, ADP agreed to engage a third-party expert to identify and remediate accessibility barriers throughout ADP’s website and mobile applications, develop or enhance existing policy to incorporate accessibility into development and testing of ADP’s products, and provide customer service training to ADP employees and agents who provide user-side customer service to LightHouse regarding how to assist individuals who use screen readers. The agreement also stipulated that ADP would provide LightHouse with a progress update every three months regarding the accessibility improvements and policies required by the settlement. A confidential addendum was also executed with the agreement.

On October 27, 2021, the plaintiffs filed a stipulation to dismiss the case. The following day, the court granted the stipulation to dismiss the case with prejudice, with the court retaining jurisdiction over the case through October 22, 2024 to enforce the terms of the agreement. This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Saba Khan (1/5/2023)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18748582/parties/lighthouse-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-of-san-francisco-v/


Judge(s)

Gilliam, Haywood Stirling (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Riess, Melissa (California)

Seaborn, Stuart John (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Anderson, Eden Edwards (California)

Launey, Kristina M. (California)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

20-586626

Complex Case Complaint

California state trial court

Sept. 16, 2020

Sept. 16, 2020

Complaint

4:20-cv-09020

Settlement Agreement

Oct. 21, 2021

Oct. 21, 2021

Settlement Agreement
30

4:20-cv-09020

Order on Stipulation

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18748582/lighthouse-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-of-san-francisco-v/

Last updated July 1, 2026, 7:24 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Dec. 16, 2020

NOTICE OF REMOVAL from San Francisco County Superior Court. Their case number is CGC-20-586626. (Filing fee $402 receipt number 0971-15325270). Filed byAutomatic Data Processing, Inc., ADP TotalSource, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

RECAP
2 Dec. 16, 2020

Certificate of Interested Entities by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. identifying Other Affiliate ADP TotalSource, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP Atlantic, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP TotalSource Group, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP, Inc. for ADP TotalSource, Inc.; Corporate Parent Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP Atlantic, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP TotalSource Group, Inc., Other Affiliate ADP, Inc. for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.. re 1 Notice of Removal, (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

RECAP
3 Dec. 16, 2020

Corporate Disclosure Statement by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. identifying Other Affiliate ADP TotalSource, Inc. for ADP TotalSource, Inc.; Corporate Parent Automatic Data Processing, Inc. for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.. re 1 Notice of Removal, (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

RECAP
4 Dec. 16, 2020

Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler. Counsel for plaintiff or the removing party is responsible for serving the Complaint or Notice of Removal, Summons and the assigned judge's standing orders and all other new case documents upon the opposing parties. For information, visit E-Filing A New Civil Case at http://cand.uscourts.gov/ecf/caseopening.Standing orders can be downloaded from the court's web page at www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges. Upon receipt, the summons will be issued and returned electronically. Counsel is required to send chambers a copy of the initiating documents pursuant to L.R. 5-1(e)(7). A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. Consent/Declination due by 12/30/2020. (mbcS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

RECAP
5 Dec. 16, 2020

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. re 2 Certificate of Interested Entities,, 1 Notice of Removal, 3 Certificate of Interested Entities, (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/16/2020) (Entered: 12/16/2020)

RECAP
Dec. 16, 2020

~Util - Case Assigned by Intake

6 Dec. 17, 2020

Initial Case Management Scheduling Order for Cases Asserting Denial of Right of Access under Americans with Disabilities Act. (slhS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/17/2020) (Entered: 12/17/2020)

RECAP
7 Dec. 17, 2020

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. re 6 Initial Case Management Scheduling Order - ADA Case (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/17/2020) (Entered: 12/17/2020)

RECAP
8 Dec. 22, 2020

STIPULATION to Extend Time to Respond to Complaint filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc.. (Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 12/22/2020) (Entered: 12/22/2020)

RECAP
9 Dec. 28, 2020

CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc... (Anderson, Eden) (Filed on 12/28/2020) (Entered: 12/28/2020)

RECAP
10 Dec. 28, 2020

CLERK'S NOTICE OF IMPENDING REASSIGNMENT TO A U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Clerk of this Court will now randomly reassign this case to a District Judge because either (1) a party has not consented to the jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge, or (2) time is of the essence in deciding a pending judicial action for which the necessary consents to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction have not been secured. You will be informed by separate notice of the district judge to whom this case is reassigned. ALL HEARING DATES PRESENTLY SCHEDULED BEFORE THE CURRENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE ARE VACATED AND SHOULD BE RE-NOTICED FOR HEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE TO WHOM THIS CASE IS REASSIGNED. This is a text only docket entry; there is no document associated with this notice. (ejkS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/28/2020) (Entered: 12/28/2020)

RECAP
Dec. 28, 2020

Clerk's Notice of Impending Reassignment - Text Only

11 Dec. 29, 2020

ORDER, Case Reassigned using a proportionate, random, and blind system pursuant to General Order No. 44 to Judge Haywood S Gilliam, Jr for all further proceedings. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler no longer assigned to the case.. Signed by The Clerk on 12/29/20. (haS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/29/2020) (Entered: 12/29/2020)

RECAP
12 Jan. 12, 2021

Corporate Disclosure Statement by Erin Lauridsen, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Frank Welte (Weaver, Meredith) (Filed on 1/12/2021) (Entered: 01/12/2021)

RECAP
13 Jan. 12, 2021

Certificate of Interested Entities by Erin Lauridsen, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Frank Welte (Weaver, Meredith) (Filed on 1/12/2021) (Entered: 01/12/2021)

RECAP
14 Jan. 21, 2021

STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER to Stay Litigation filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Erin Lauridsen, Lighthoue for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco and Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 1/21/2021) Modified on 1/22/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 01/21/2021)

RECAP
15 Jan. 22, 2021

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. GRANTING 14 STIPULATION TO STAY LITIGATION. (amgS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/22/2021) (Entered: 01/22/2021)

RECAP
16 April 28, 2021

STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER to Extend Stay of Litigation filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Erin Lauridsen, and Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 4/28/2021) Modified on 4/29/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 04/28/2021)

RECAP
17 April 29, 2021

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. Granting 16 Stipulation to Extend Stay of Litigation. (ndrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 4/29/2021) (Entered: 04/29/2021)

RECAP
18 June 2, 2021

ORDER by Hon. Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. DIRECTING the parties to provide the Court with a status update on the progress of settlement efforts, as contemplated by Dkt. No. 16 the parties' notice of Structured Negotiations Agreement. Parties shall file a statement of two pages or less by June 9, 2021. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (hsglc2S, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 6/2/2021) (Entered: 06/02/2021)

RECAP
June 2, 2021

Order

19 June 7, 2021

NOTICE of Withdrawal of Attorney Shira J. Tevah by Shira J Tevah (Tevah, Shira) (Filed on 6/7/2021) Modified on 6/8/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 06/07/2021)

RECAP
20 June 9, 2021

JOINT STATUS REPORT on Structured Negotiation Settlement Efforts by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Erin Lauriden, Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, and Frank Welte. (Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 6/9/2021) Modified on 6/10/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 06/09/2021)

RECAP
21 June 16, 2021

STIPULATION to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Erin Lauridsen, Frank Welte, and Lighthouse for the Blind and Visutally Impaired of San Francisco. (Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 6/16/2021) Modified on 6/17/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 06/16/2021)

RECAP
22 July 20, 2021

Third Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Erin Lauridsen, and Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 7/20/2021) Modified on 7/21/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 07/20/2021)

RECAP
23 July 21, 2021

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. Granting 22 Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint. (ndrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 7/21/2021) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

RECAP
24 Aug. 19, 2021

Fourth Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint filed by ADP TotalSource, Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Erin l=Lauridsen and Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Launey, Kristina) (Filed on 8/19/2021) Modified on 8/20/2021 (bnsS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 08/19/2021)

RECAP
25 Aug. 20, 2021

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. Granting 24 Fourth Stipulation to Extend Time to Respond to Initial Complaint. (ndrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/20/2021) (Entered: 08/20/2021)

RECAP
26 Sept. 17, 2021

Notice of Settlement of ADA Access Case by Meredith Jayne Weaver (Weaver, Meredith) (Filed on 9/17/2021) (Entered: 09/17/2021)

RECAP
27 Oct. 26, 2021

ORDER by Hon. Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. DIRECTING the parties to provide the Court with a status update explaining when the parties anticipate filing the stipulation for dismissal, as contemplated by Dkt. No. 26 the parties' notice of settlement. Parties shall file a statement of two pages or less by October 29, 2021. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (hsglc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/26/2021) (Entered: 10/26/2021)

RECAP
Oct. 26, 2021

Order

28 Oct. 27, 2021

STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER to Dismiss Case filed by Erin Lauridsen, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Frank Welte. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Proposed Order)(Riess, Melissa) (Filed on 10/27/2021) (Entered: 10/27/2021)

1

View on RECAP

RECAP
29 Oct. 28, 2021

CLERK'S NOTICE TO COUNSEL RE DOCKET NO. 28 . The Judge's name is Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. In the future, the signature line of all proposed orders submitted should include Jr. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (ndr, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/28/2021) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

RECAP
30 Oct. 28, 2021

ORDER by Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. Granting 28 Stipulation to Dismiss Case. (ndr, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/28/2021) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

RECAP
Oct. 28, 2021

Clerk's Notice

31 Dec. 3, 2021

NOTICE of Change In Counsel Erin Lauridsen, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco, Frank Welte (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Riess, Melissa) (Filed on 12/3/2021) Modified on 12/6/2021 (slh, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/03/2021)

RECAP
Dec. 6, 2021

Electronic Filing Error

Dec. 6, 2021

Electronic filing error re: 31 MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney filed by Erin Lauridsen, Frank Welte, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco. Incorrect event used. [err101] Corrected by Clerk's Office. No further action is necessary. (slh, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/6/2021)

32 June 25, 2024

Notice of Change In Counsel

RECAP
June 25, 2024

Clerk's Notice

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 16, 2020

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A non-profit organization that promotes independence, equality, and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State Anti-Discrimination Law

State law

Other Dockets:

Northern District of California 4:20-cv-09020

California state trial court No. CGC-20-586626

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Reporting

Training

Order Duration: 2021 - 2024

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Visual impairment

Discrimination Basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

Recommended Citation