Constance Henry, a visually-impaired individual, has filed a class action lawsuit against Madison Reed, 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 February 6, 2025. The lawsuit claims that Madison Reed's failure to provide an accessible website violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), thereby denying equal access to its products and services.
According to the complaint, Constance Henry relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites due to her visual impairment. However, she encountered significant barriers while attempting to use Madison Reed's website, madison-reed.com. These barriers included missing alternative text for images, improper landmark structures, and inaccessible forms which made it impossible for her to complete transactions independently. As a result, Henry argues that she and others similarly situated are excluded from participating fully in online commerce offered by Madison Reed.
The lawsuit emphasizes that despite existing technologies and guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, which provide standards for making websites accessible to individuals with disabilities, Madison Reed has not implemented these measures. This omission allegedly forces blind customers like Henry to rely on sighted companions or visit physical stores instead of enjoying the convenience of online shopping.
Henry seeks several remedies from the court: a permanent injunction requiring Madison Reed to make its website accessible according to ADA standards; compensatory damages for unlawful discrimination; and punitive damages. Additionally, she requests certification of this case as a class action representing all legally blind individuals who have faced similar accessibility issues with madison-reed.com.
Representing Constance Henry is attorney David Reyes from Asher Cohen Law PLLC. The case is being heard in front of judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Case No.: 1:25-cv-1280.