In a groundbreaking legal move, a visually impaired individual has taken a stand against a prominent pet accessory company for allegedly violating accessibility laws. On February 4, 2026, Livingston Bennett filed a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Lupine, Inc., claiming that the company’s website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals. This case highlights the ongoing struggle for equal access to digital content and services.
Livingston Bennett, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to navigate websites, alleges that Lupine, Inc.’s website is riddled with barriers that prevent him and others like him from accessing its goods and services. According to Bennett’s complaint, these barriers include ambiguous link texts, lack of navigation links, redundant links leading to the same destination, and the necessity of using a mouse for transactions—all of which violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The lawsuit emphasizes that such inaccessibility excludes visually impaired individuals from participating fully in the online marketplace.
Bennett recounts his personal experience attempting to purchase a collar from Lupine’s website but was thwarted by its inaccessible design. “Despite my efforts,” he states in the complaint, “I was denied a shopping experience like that of a sighted individual.” The complaint argues that despite available technology to make websites accessible—such as alternative text for images and keyboard-navigable interfaces—Lupine has failed to implement these features. This failure not only discriminates against visually impaired users but also perpetuates their exclusion from digital commerce.
The plaintiff seeks several forms of relief from the court. He requests a permanent injunction requiring Lupine to modify its website policies and practices to ensure accessibility for blind and visually impaired consumers. Additionally, Bennett seeks compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced discrimination due to these accessibility barriers. The case underscores the importance of web accessibility as an integral part of civil rights for individuals with disabilities.
Representing Bennett is attorney Michael Ohrenberger from Equal Access Law Group, PLLC. The case is being heard by judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Case No.: 1:26-cv-1296.
Source: 126cv01296_Livingston_Bennett_v_Lupine_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf