A visually-impaired individual has taken legal action against a major corporation, alleging that its website is inaccessible to those with disabilities. On November 11, 2025, Andre Battle filed a class-action complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Portage World-Wide, Inc., claiming that the company’s website, Manhattanportage.com, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not being accessible to blind and visually-impaired users.
Andre Battle, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to access digital content, asserts that Portage World-Wide’s website contains significant barriers that prevent him and others like him from enjoying the same online shopping experience as sighted individuals. According to the complaint, these barriers include a lack of alternative text for images, improper labeling of interactive elements, and a reliance on mouse navigation which is not compatible with screen-reading technology. Battle argues that these issues effectively exclude blind users from participating in online commerce on an equal footing with sighted customers.
The lawsuit claims that Portage World-Wide’s failure to make its website accessible constitutes discrimination under both federal and state laws. The plaintiff points out that there are well-established guidelines for web accessibility, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which many businesses follow to ensure their websites are usable by people with disabilities. Despite this knowledge and available technology, Portage World-Wide allegedly continues to operate its site in a manner that excludes visually-impaired users.
Battle seeks a permanent injunction requiring Portage World-Wide to modify its website policies and practices so it becomes fully accessible to blind consumers. Additionally, he demands compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have been subjected to what he describes as unlawful discrimination. The lawsuit also calls for punitive damages and reimbursement of legal fees.
Representing Andre Battle in this case is attorney Uri Horowitz from Flushing, New York. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:25-cv-13818 in the Northern District of Illinois court system.
Source: 125cv13818_Andre_Battle_v_Portage_Wolrd_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
