A visually-impaired individual has filed a class action lawsuit against a prominent online retailer, accusing the company of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. The complaint was filed by Morgan Cole in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on April 3, 2025, targeting PPC International, LLC.
Morgan Cole, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to access web content, alleges that PPC International's website, Houseplantshop.com, contains significant accessibility barriers that prevent blind and visually-impaired individuals from independently navigating and making purchases. According to Cole, these barriers include inadequate focus order, inaccessible drop-down menus, and reliance on mouse-dependent functionality. The complaint highlights that such issues are not only discriminatory but also exclude a substantial portion of the population from participating in the digital marketplace. "Defendant’s denial of full and equal access to its website...is a violation of Plaintiff’s rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act," states the complaint.
The lawsuit emphasizes that despite readily available technology to make websites accessible—such as alternative text for images and keyboard navigability—PPC International has failed to implement these measures. This failure has resulted in blind users being unable to complete transactions or enjoy an experience equivalent to sighted customers. Cole recounts his own frustrating experience attempting to purchase a plant from Houseplantshop.com on February 6, 2025, where he encountered multiple accessibility issues that hindered his ability to navigate the site independently.
Cole seeks a permanent injunction requiring PPC International to modify its website policies and practices to ensure compliance with ADA standards. The lawsuit also demands compensatory damages for class members who have faced discrimination due to these accessibility barriers. Additionally, it calls for punitive damages and legal fees.
Representing Morgan Cole is attorney David B. Reyes from Equal Access Law Group, PLLC. The case is identified as Case No.: 1:25-cv-3570 in front of an unnamed judge at this stage.