In a groundbreaking legal move, a visually-impaired individual has filed a class action lawsuit against a prominent shoe retailer for allegedly failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired customers. The complaint was lodged by Haron Cole in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 19, 2025, targeting Schuler Shoes, Incorporated.
Haron Cole, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to navigate online content, claims that Schuler Shoes' website, Schulershoes.com, presents significant barriers that prevent him and others with similar disabilities from accessing its goods and services. The lawsuit accuses Schuler Shoes of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not ensuring their website is fully accessible. According to Cole's filing, despite existing technologies that can make websites more accessible—such as alternative text for images and keyboard navigability—Schuler Shoes has failed to implement these features. "The lack of an accessible website means that blind people are excluded from experiencing transacting with Defendant’s website," states the complaint.
Cole's lawsuit seeks not only compensatory damages but also a permanent injunction requiring Schuler Shoes to modify its web practices to accommodate visually-impaired users. The plaintiff emphasizes the importance of internet accessibility for blind individuals who face mobility challenges when shopping in physical stores. "Plaintiff appreciates companies that offer a wide selection of footwear brands and styles...and would like to visit the website in the future," reads part of the filing.
Represented by attorney David Reyes from Equal Access Law Group PLLC, Cole argues that without court intervention, he and others will continue to suffer discrimination under federal law. The case ID is 1:25-cv-01693.