A visually-impaired woman has taken legal action against a major playing card company, alleging its website is inaccessible to blind users. Phyllis Hampton filed a class-action complaint on March 26, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against The United States Playing Card Company. The lawsuit claims that the company's website, Bicyclecards.com, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not being accessible to those who are blind or visually impaired.
Hampton, who requires screen-reading software to navigate websites, argues that she and others like her are denied equal access to the goods and services offered by The United States Playing Card Company due to significant accessibility barriers on their website. According to Hampton's complaint, these barriers include issues such as inaccurate alt-text on images, improper heading structures, and elements that cannot be navigated using a keyboard. "The lack of an accessible website means that blind people are excluded from experiencing transacting with Defendant’s website," Hampton stated in her filing.
The plaintiff contends that despite available technology that could make websites accessible—such as alternative text for images and keyboard-navigable interfaces—the defendant has failed to implement these solutions. This oversight allegedly forces visually-impaired individuals to rely on sighted companions for assistance or face challenges when attempting online transactions. Hampton highlights how this exclusion impacts her daily life and emotional well-being, citing experiences of frustration and anxiety when trying to purchase products from Bicyclecards.com.
Hampton seeks a permanent injunction requiring The United States Playing Card Company to modify its website policies and practices so it becomes fully accessible to blind consumers. Additionally, she requests compensatory damages for unlawful discrimination experienced by herself and other class members. The complaint also calls for declaratory relief affirming the company's non-compliance with ADA standards and negligent infliction of emotional distress due to the site's inaccessibility.
Represented by attorney David B. Reyes from Equal Access Law Group PLLC, Hampton's case underscores ongoing challenges faced by disabled individuals seeking equitable access in digital spaces. With Case No.: 1:25-cv-3208 assigned to this matter, the outcome could set a precedent for web accessibility standards across various industries.