Leah Walker, a visually-impaired resident of Illinois, has filed a class action lawsuit against Robert Graham Retail, LLC, accusing the company of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. The complaint was filed on January 24, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Walker alleges that Robert Graham Retail's website, robertgraham.us, is not designed to be fully accessible to individuals who rely on screen-reading software due to their visual impairments. According to Walker, this lack of accessibility denies her and others like her equal access to the goods and services offered by Robert Graham Retail online. She claims that significant barriers prevent blind users from navigating the site independently or completing transactions, effectively excluding them from participating in the digital marketplace.
The lawsuit highlights several specific issues with the website's design that hinder accessibility. These include missing alternative text for images, improper heading structures, ambiguous link texts, and reliance on mouse navigation rather than keyboard compatibility—all of which are critical for screen-reader functionality. Walker contends that these deficiencies violate both federal and state laws mandating equal access for individuals with disabilities.
Walker seeks a permanent injunction requiring Robert Graham Retail to modify its website policies and practices to ensure full accessibility for blind consumers. Additionally, she is pursuing compensatory damages for what she describes as unlawful discrimination resulting from these accessibility barriers. The complaint also calls for punitive damages and requests that the court certify the case as a class action on behalf of all similarly affected individuals across the United States.
Representing Leah Walker in this legal battle is attorney David Reyes from Asher Cohen Law PLLC. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:25-cv-830 in front of judges at the Northern District of Illinois.