Constance Henry, a visually-impaired individual, has filed a class action lawsuit against Arzz International, Inc., alleging that the company's website is inaccessible to blind and visually-impaired users. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 24, 2025. The plaintiff accuses Arzz International of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to make its website accessible to individuals who rely on screen-reading software.
The case revolves around Henry's attempt to shop online at Arezzo-store.com, Arzz International's e-commerce platform specializing in women's footwear. Despite her efforts, she encountered numerous accessibility barriers that prevented her from completing a purchase independently. According to the complaint, these barriers include inaccessible drop-down menus, lack of alternative text for images, and elements requiring mouse interaction which are not compatible with screen readers. As a result, Henry argues that she and others similarly situated are denied equal access to goods and services offered by Arzz International.
Henry's legal team contends that such practices constitute discrimination under Title III of the ADA, which mandates public accommodations be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Arzz International to modify its website policies and practices to ensure accessibility for blind and visually-impaired consumers. Additionally, it demands compensatory damages for unlawful discrimination suffered by the class members.
Represented by attorney David Reyes from Asher Cohen Law PLLC, Constance Henry is seeking judicial intervention to address these accessibility issues and ensure compliance with established web accessibility standards like WCAG 2.2. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:25-cv-825 in front of an unnamed judge at this time.