A visually-impaired individual has taken legal action against a prominent fragrance company, alleging that its website is inaccessible to blind users. Haron Cole filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 6, 2025, against Fragrance One, Inc.
The lawsuit centers around claims that Fragrance One's website, Fragrance.one, is not designed to be accessible to blind and visually-impaired individuals who rely on screen-reading software. According to Cole, this oversight violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates equal access to public accommodations for individuals with disabilities. The plaintiff asserts that due to these accessibility barriers, he and others like him are denied the opportunity to independently browse and purchase products from the site.
Cole's complaint details various technical shortcomings of the website that hinder its usability for those relying on assistive technologies. These include inadequate alt-text for images, poor heading hierarchy, inaccessible drop-down menus, and interactive elements that cannot be navigated using a keyboard alone. Such issues prevent blind users from completing transactions or even fully exploring the site’s offerings.
Fragrance One is accused of failing to implement widely recognized web accessibility standards such as those outlined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in their Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines are considered best practices for ensuring websites are usable by individuals with disabilities. Despite being aware of these standards and having readily available technology solutions at hand, Fragrance One allegedly chose not to make necessary modifications.
Cole seeks a permanent injunction requiring Fragrance One to update its website policies and practices to comply with ADA requirements. Additionally, he demands compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced discrimination due to these accessibility barriers. The lawsuit also calls for punitive damages and attorney fees.
Representing Haron Cole in this case is David Reyes from Asher Cohen Law PLLC. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:25-cv-88 in front of an unnamed judge at this time.