Chris Jackson, a legally blind resident of Chicago, has filed a lawsuit against Car Toys, Inc., alleging that the company's digital platforms are inaccessible to individuals with visual disabilities. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on December 20, 2024. Jackson accuses Car Toys of violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to make its website and other digital properties accessible to visually impaired users.
According to the complaint, approximately 2.3 percent of Americans live with some form of visual disability, making access to digital platforms crucial for this demographic. The lawsuit highlights how essential online accessibility has become in the post-pandemic era, as more consumers rely on e-commerce for purchasing goods and services. Jackson's legal team argues that Car Toys' failure to ensure its digital properties are compatible with screen reader technology constitutes ineffective communication and unequal access under the ADA.
The plaintiff's experience exemplifies these barriers: when attempting to purchase a product from Car Toys' website, he encountered multiple accessibility issues that prevented him from completing his transaction. These included non-responsive menu items and price indicators that were not properly communicated through screen readers. Such obstacles force visually impaired users like Jackson to expend additional time and effort or even seek third-party assistance—challenges not faced by sighted users.
Jackson seeks a permanent injunction requiring Car Toys to overhaul its corporate policies regarding digital accessibility. This includes hiring a web accessibility consultant, conducting regular audits and user testing with visually impaired individuals, and providing ongoing training for employees involved in digital content development. Additionally, he requests that Car Toys establish a public web accessibility policy and provide means for users to report accessibility issues directly on their website.
The case is being handled by attorneys Benjamin J. Sweet and Jonathan D. Miller from Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller & Sweet LLP. It is presided over by judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID 1:24-cv-13101.