Chris Jackson has filed a lawsuit against Steelz, L.P., doing business as Maison & Tavola, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 30, 2025. The complaint accuses the defendant of failing to make its digital properties accessible to individuals with visual disabilities, thereby violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The case revolves around Chris Jackson, a legally blind resident of Chicago, Illinois, who uses screen-reader technology to navigate the internet. Jackson claims that Maison & Tavola's website is not properly formatted for accessibility, making it difficult or impossible for visually impaired users like himself to access information about products and services offered by the company. According to the complaint, this lack of accessibility denies blind customers equal access to online content and services readily available to sighted customers. The plaintiff emphasizes that such barriers are especially problematic in an era where e-commerce is booming and more consumers rely on digital platforms for shopping.
Jackson's lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Maison & Tavola to implement changes ensuring their digital platform is accessible. These changes include hiring a web accessibility consultant, providing web accessibility training for employees involved in digital content development, conducting regular automated and human-based accessibility audits, and establishing a public policy statement on their website regarding efforts to maintain and increase accessibility. Furthermore, Jackson requests that the court retains jurisdiction over the case until these measures are implemented and maintained.
The plaintiff's legal team argues that removing these barriers is readily achievable without significant difficulty or expense. They assert that Maison & Tavola has failed to provide effective communication through its digital platform as required by ADA regulations. The lawsuit also seeks declaratory judgment stating that Maison & Tavola was in violation of ADA requirements at the commencement of this action.
Representing Chris Jackson are attorneys Benjamin J. Sweet and Jonathan D. Miller from Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller & Sweet LLP. The case is presided over by judges from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID 1:25-cv-01031.