A lawsuit has been filed against a prominent company for allegedly failing to make its digital properties accessible to visually impaired individuals, thus violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On January 2, 2025, Holger Fiallo filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Western Ranch Supply Co. The plaintiff accuses the defendant of not providing adequate access to its online services for those with visual disabilities.
Holger Fiallo, who is legally blind and resides in Chicago, Illinois, claims that Western Ranch Supply Co.'s digital platform is not formatted properly to be compatible with screen reader technology. This technology is essential for visually impaired users to navigate and utilize online content effectively. Fiallo asserts that this lack of accessibility prevents him from accessing information about the company's products and using its online services, which are readily available to sighted customers. He emphasizes that this failure constitutes a violation of Title III of the ADA, which mandates effective communication and equal access for individuals with disabilities.
The complaint highlights several specific barriers encountered by Fiallo while attempting to use Western Ranch Supply's website. For instance, promotional banners and menu links are not accessible through screen readers, making it difficult or impossible for visually impaired users to benefit from promotions or navigate the site effectively. The lawsuit underscores that these barriers deny Fiallo full and equal access to the company's services and deter him from future attempts to use their digital platform.
Fiallo seeks a permanent injunction requiring Western Ranch Supply Co. to implement significant changes in its corporate policies concerning digital accessibility. These changes include hiring a qualified web accessibility consultant, conducting regular audits and user testing with visually impaired individuals, training employees on web accessibility practices, and creating a public web accessibility policy. Additionally, Fiallo requests that the court retain jurisdiction over the case until compliance is achieved and maintained.
The legal representation for Holger Fiallo includes attorneys Benjamin J. Sweet and Jonathan D. Miller from Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller & Sweet LLP. The case is identified as Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-00027.