Erika Randolph, a visually-impaired resident of Illinois, has filed a class-action lawsuit against Atelier-NY, LLC, alleging that the company's website is inaccessible to blind and visually-impaired users. The complaint was filed on February 8, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Randolph claims that Atelier's website violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide equal access to its goods and services.
According to the lawsuit, Randolph relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites but encountered numerous barriers when attempting to use Atelier's site. These barriers include improperly formatted lists, inaccessible drop-down menus, and lack of alternative text for images, which make it impossible for blind users to complete transactions independently. "The lack of an accessible website means that blind people are excluded from experiencing transacting with Defendant’s website," states the complaint. Randolph argues that these issues prevent her and others from enjoying full participation in online commerce.
The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction requiring Atelier-NY to modify its website policies and practices to ensure accessibility for blind consumers. Additionally, she demands compensatory damages for unlawful discrimination experienced by herself and other class members. The lawsuit emphasizes that accessible technology is readily available and used by other major retailers; however, Atelier has failed to implement such solutions.
Represented by attorney Paul Camarena from Chicago, Erika Randolph is pushing for judicial intervention to rectify what she sees as a clear violation of civil rights under the ADA. The case is being overseen by judges in the Northern District of Illinois under Case No.: 1:25-cv-1373.