In a significant legal move, a complaint has been filed against a company for failing to make its digital properties accessible to individuals with visual disabilities. Teniya Booker lodged the complaint on March 27, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Maison Louis Marie, LLC. The lawsuit seeks to address and rectify the alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates effective communication and equal access for people with disabilities.
The case revolves around Maison Louis Marie's digital platform, which Booker claims is not properly formatted to accommodate legally blind users. This failure allegedly deprives them of accessing information about the company's products and services available online. Booker, who lost her vision at three years old due to a gunshot wound damaging her optic nerve, relies on screen reader technology like VoiceOver on her iPhone to navigate websites. However, she encountered numerous barriers when attempting to purchase products from Maison Louis Marie's website.
The complaint highlights several accessibility issues that hinder visually impaired users from effectively navigating the site. For instance, an accessibility widget meant to assist disabled users reportedly creates additional barriers by providing incorrect auditory feedback when activated. Moreover, certain elements such as product quantity fields and pricing details lack descriptive labels or are announced incorrectly by screen readers, preventing users from understanding their function or purpose.
Booker asserts that these barriers violate ADA regulations requiring places of public accommodation to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities. She argues that accessible technology is readily available and cost-effective but has not been implemented by Maison Louis Marie in its digital offerings.
To remedy these alleged violations, Booker seeks a permanent injunction compelling Maison Louis Marie to adopt comprehensive measures ensuring their digital platform becomes fully accessible. This includes hiring a qualified web accessibility consultant to guide improvements, conducting regular audits and user testing with visually impaired individuals, providing training for employees involved in content development, and establishing clear policies for maintaining accessibility standards.
Furthermore, Booker requests declaratory judgment affirming that Maison Louis Marie was non-compliant with ADA requirements at the time of filing. She also seeks payment of reasonable attorney fees and costs associated with monitoring compliance efforts post-judgment.
Representing Booker are attorneys Benjamin J. Sweet and Jonathan D. Miller from Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller & Sweet LLP. The case is presided over under Case ID 1:25-cv-03276 in the Northern District of Illinois court system.