A visually-impaired individual has taken legal action against a perfume company, accusing it of failing to make its website accessible to blind users. The lawsuit was filed by Haron Cole in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 10, 2025, targeting Kenrose Perfumes, Inc.
Haron Cole, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites, alleges that Kenrose Perfumes' website, Twistedlily.com, is not accessible to individuals with visual impairments. This inaccessibility allegedly violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates equal access to goods and services for disabled individuals. According to Cole's complaint, Twistedlily.com lacks features such as alternative text for images and keyboard navigability, which are essential for screen-reader compatibility. These deficiencies prevent blind users from independently browsing or making purchases on the site.
Cole's lawsuit highlights several specific barriers he encountered while attempting to shop on Twistedlily.com. He cites issues like inaccessible drop-down menus and interactive elements that cannot be operated via keyboard commands. Furthermore, Cole claims that these barriers have caused him emotional distress and interference with daily activities due to his inability to complete transactions online without assistance.
The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction requiring Kenrose Perfumes to modify its website so it complies with ADA standards. Additionally, Cole is pursuing compensatory damages for what he describes as unlawful discrimination against visually impaired consumers. The complaint emphasizes the importance of web accessibility guidelines established by organizations like the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and suggests that compliance would not impose an undue burden on Kenrose Perfumes.
Representing Haron Cole in this case is attorney David Reyes from Asher Cohen Law PLLC. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:25-cv-284 in front of judges from the Northern District of Illinois.