A visually-impaired individual has filed a lawsuit against a Texas-based company, alleging that its website is inaccessible to blind users, thereby violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint was filed by Haron Cole in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on December 27, 2024, against JWill Enterprises, LLC.
Haron Cole, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to access online content, claims that JWill Enterprises' website, Birdcagesnow.com, is not designed to be accessible to visually-impaired individuals. According to Cole's complaint, this lack of accessibility prevents him and others from independently navigating and making purchases on the site. He asserts that despite the availability of accessible technology used by other retail websites—such as alternative text for images and keyboard navigation options—JWill Enterprises has chosen to maintain an exclusively visual interface. This decision allegedly forces blind users to rely on sighted companions for assistance.
The lawsuit highlights several specific barriers encountered by Cole while attempting to use Birdcagesnow.com. These include missing alternative text for images, ambiguous link texts, inaccessible drop-down menus, and a requirement for mouse-only interactions—all of which impede the ability of screen readers to interpret and vocalize web content effectively. Cole emphasizes that these issues are not only discriminatory but also prevent blind individuals from participating equally in the digital marketplace.
Cole seeks a permanent injunction requiring JWill Enterprises to modify its website policies and practices to ensure accessibility for blind consumers. Additionally, he requests compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced discrimination due to these accessibility barriers. The lawsuit also calls for declaratory relief affirming that Birdcagesnow.com fails to comply with ADA standards.
Representing Haron Cole in this case is attorney David Reyes from Asher Cohen Law PLLC. The case is presided over by judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Case No.: 1:24-cv-13281.