A visually-impaired individual has filed a class action lawsuit against a major music corporation, accusing it of failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. The complaint was lodged by Andre Battle in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 7, 2025, targeting Universal Music Group, Inc.
Andre Battle, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to access web content, claims that Universal Music Group’s website, Interscope.com, is not fully accessible to individuals with visual impairments. This lack of accessibility allegedly violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates equal access to goods and services for disabled individuals. Battle argues that despite existing technology that can make websites accessible through features like alternative text and keyboard navigation, Universal Music Group has failed to implement these measures on their site.
The lawsuit highlights specific barriers encountered by Battle while attempting to purchase Nine Inch Nails vinyl records from Interscope.com. He experienced difficulties such as incorrect landmark structures, inadequate focus order, ambiguous link texts, and elements requiring mouse interaction—issues that rendered the site unusable without sighted assistance. These obstacles prevented him from completing transactions independently, effectively excluding him from participating in the digital marketplace.
Battle seeks a permanent injunction compelling Universal Music Group to modify its website policies and practices to ensure accessibility for blind users. Additionally, he demands compensatory damages for the alleged discrimination faced by himself and other class members due to these accessibility barriers.
Representing Battle in this legal battle is attorney Uri Horowitz from Flushing, New York. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:25-cv-13668 in front of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Source: 125cv13668_Andre_Battle_v_Universal_Music_Group_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
