A visually impaired individual has filed a lawsuit against a major beverage company, alleging that its website is inaccessible to those with visual disabilities. Haron Cole, the plaintiff, filed the complaint on February 6, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Hint, Inc. The lawsuit claims that the company’s website violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not being fully accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
Haron Cole, who requires screen-reading software to access digital content due to his legal blindness, argues that Hint, Inc.’s website is not designed to accommodate users like him. According to Cole’s complaint, the website contains significant barriers that prevent visually impaired users from navigating it independently or completing transactions. “The lack of an accessible website means that visually impaired individuals are excluded from fully experiencing and transacting on the Website,” states the complaint. Cole further alleges that despite available technology and guidelines for web accessibility, Hint, Inc. has failed to implement necessary changes.
The complaint highlights several specific issues with the website’s design that hinder accessibility for screen-reader users. These include missing alternative text for images, improper heading hierarchy, inaccessible drop-down menus, and a reliance on mouse navigation rather than keyboard functionality. Such design flaws prevent visually impaired users from enjoying equal access to Hint’s products and services online. As a result of these barriers, Cole was unable to complete an intended purchase of sugar-free flavored water from Hint’s website.
Cole seeks a permanent injunction requiring Hint, Inc. to modify its website policies and practices so that it becomes accessible to blind and visually-impaired consumers in compliance with ADA standards. Additionally, he seeks compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced similar discrimination due to the inaccessible website.
Represented by Alison Chan of Equal Access Law Group PLLC, Haron Cole is pursuing this case as a class action on behalf of all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Hint’s website but were denied full enjoyment of its goods and services. The case underscores ongoing challenges faced by disabled individuals seeking equal access in an increasingly digital world.
Judge presiding over this case is yet unnamed as it was just filed under Case No.: 1:26-cv-1391 in the Northern District of Illinois court system.
Source: 126cv01391_Haron_Cole_v_Hint_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois .pdf