A visually-impaired woman has filed a class-action lawsuit against a major retailer, accusing the company of failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired individuals. Erika Randolph, the plaintiff, filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 11, 2025, targeting The Sports Basement, Inc.
The lawsuit centers around allegations that The Sports Basement’s website, Shop.sportsbasement.com, is not designed to be fully accessible to users who rely on screen-reading software. According to Randolph, this oversight violates her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates equal access to public accommodations for individuals with disabilities. The complaint highlights various barriers on the website that hinder blind users from navigating or completing transactions independently. These include issues such as inaccurate alt-text on images, inaccessible drop-down menus, and a reliance on mouse navigation instead of keyboard accessibility.
Randolph argues that these barriers prevent her and others like her from enjoying equal access to The Sports Basement’s goods and services. She attempted to purchase a backpack suitable for hiking but was unable to complete the transaction due to these accessibility issues. “The lack of an accessible website means that blind people are excluded from experiencing transacting with Defendant’s website,” states the complaint.
The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction requiring The Sports Basement to modify its website policies and practices so that it becomes accessible to blind and visually-impaired consumers. Additionally, she demands compensatory damages for what she describes as unlawful discrimination and emotional distress caused by these accessibility barriers.
Representing Randolph is attorney Uri Horowitz from Flushing, New York. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:25-cv-13816 in front of an unspecified judge at this time.
Source: 125cv13816_Erika_Randolph_v_The_Sports_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
