In a significant legal move, a visually-impaired individual has filed a class action lawsuit against a skincare company for failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. Haron Cole initiated the complaint on April 1, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Pangaea Holdings, Inc., alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Haron Cole, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to access web content, claims that Pangaea Holdings' website, Luminskin.com, is not designed to be accessible for individuals with visual impairments. The lawsuit highlights several barriers on the website that prevent blind users from independently navigating and completing transactions. "The access barriers make it impossible for blind and visually-impaired users to even complete a transaction on the website," states the complaint. The plaintiff argues that this exclusion from digital accessibility is a form of discrimination under the ADA.
The complaint further elaborates on how these barriers impact not only Cole but also other visually impaired individuals across the United States. It cites specific issues such as missing alternative text for images, ambiguous link texts, and navigation challenges that require mouse use—actions which are not feasible for those relying solely on keyboard navigation through screen readers like JAWS. The lack of accessibility features prevents blind users from enjoying equal participation in online shopping experiences.
Cole seeks a permanent injunction requiring Pangaea Holdings to modify its website policies and practices to ensure compliance with ADA standards. Additionally, compensatory damages are sought for those affected by what is described as unlawful discrimination. The lawsuit emphasizes that accessible technology is readily available and used by other major retail websites but has been neglected by Pangaea Holdings.
Represented by David B. Reyes of Equal Access Law Group, PLLC, Haron Cole's case underscores an ongoing struggle for digital inclusivity in e-commerce platforms. The presiding judge will determine whether Pangaea Holdings must take corrective actions to provide equitable access to all consumers.
This case is documented under Case No.: 1:25-cv-03467 with Judge details currently unspecified.