In the process of recovering from his battle with cancer and the aftermath of his surgeries, Kelly Kamen, Esq. attended various group meetings with a variety of cancer survivors, many of whom suffered with disabilities, and all of whom had stories of struggle uncommon to the layman. Thereafter, the conditions of blindness and vision impairment became of particular interest to him. As a result of these interactions, having shared experiences and, in particular, having listened to accounts of blind people who had been the victims of discrimination, scenarios that were once hypothetically framed or which may have been conceptually considered, were now hitting home in a real way. These individuals were regularly experiencing inequities, often due to barriers denying them equal access to goods, services and accommodations, readily available to the nonimpaired. The depth of these claims, and the pains and frustrations incurred by these individuals as a result, could not be truly appreciated, until presented firsthand by the victims whose hardships were now palpable to him. This led to Kelly’s decision to focus on the area.
Kelly, licensed to practice law in the state of New York, earned his Juris Doctor degree at St. John’s University School of Law in 2003 and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2004
The legal representation of blind individuals on matters of web accessibility focuses on ensuring equal access to digital platforms and content under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and, in New York, under the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL). This area of law addresses the rights of individuals with disabilities, including blindness, to navigate and interact with websites, mobile applications, and other digital technologies. Specifically, Kelly advocates for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide standards for making online content accessible to individuals with disabilities using assistive technologies like screen readers. The primary goal of these pursuits is driven by the objective of promoting the remediation of inaccessible digital platforms to enhance the digital landscape for consumers. Succinctly, it is Kelly’s aim to remove barriers that prevent blind individuals from fully participating in modern society and accessing essential services, thereby promoting inclusivity and equal opportunity so that individuals with disabilities can fully participate and benefit from online resources and services.
Per Ardua PLLC is committed to making its own website accessible to individuals with
disabilities, and maintaining compliance with WCAG guidelines.