Nicole Davis has filed a class action lawsuit against Cultural Brokerage Agency, LLC, accusing the company of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to make its website accessible to visually impaired users. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 21, 2025.
The plaintiff, Nicole Davis, is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to access digital content. She alleges that Cultural Brokerage Agency's website, Brothervellies.com, contains significant accessibility barriers that prevent her and other visually impaired individuals from fully utilizing the site. These barriers include a lack of alternative text for images, improperly labeled interactive elements, and navigation issues that require mouse usage—actions impossible for those relying solely on keyboard navigation. As a result, Davis claims she was unable to complete an online purchase due to these impediments.
Davis argues that this exclusion from full participation in the digital marketplace constitutes discrimination under Title III of the ADA. The law mandates equal access to public accommodations, which extends to websites offering goods and services. Despite available technology and established guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Cultural Brokerage Agency allegedly failed to implement necessary modifications. "The lack of accessible design deprives blind customers of equal opportunity," Davis asserts in her complaint.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Cultural Brokerage Agency to update its website practices and policies to ensure compliance with ADA standards. Additionally, it demands compensatory damages for unlawful discrimination experienced by Davis and others similarly affected. The suit also calls for declaratory relief affirming that Brothervellies.com is currently operated in violation of federal law.
Representing Nicole Davis is attorney Paul Camarena from Chicago, Illinois. The case is being heard under Case No.: 1:25-cv-664 by judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.