A visually-impaired individual has taken legal action against a major corporation for allegedly failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. Haron Cole filed a class-action complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 6, 2025, against Robot Factory, Inc., claiming that their website, Giantrobot.com, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not being fully accessible to individuals who require screen-reading software.
The plaintiff, Haron Cole, is legally blind and relies on screen-reading technology to navigate websites. According to the complaint, Giantrobot.com contains numerous access barriers that prevent blind users from independently browsing and completing transactions. The lawsuit highlights several specific issues encountered by Cole while attempting to use the site, such as ambiguous link texts, automatic pop-ups without proper announcements, and interactive elements lacking descriptive labels. These barriers reportedly make it impossible for visually-impaired customers to have an online shopping experience equivalent to that of sighted individuals.
Cole’s legal team argues that despite the availability of established guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, which provide a framework for making websites accessible to people with disabilities, Robot Factory has failed to implement these standards on their site. This oversight is seen as a violation of both federal and state laws aimed at eliminating discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The plaintiff contends that the inaccessible design forces blind consumers to rely on others or visit physical stores for purchases they could otherwise make online if given equal access.
The lawsuit seeks several forms of relief from the court. It requests a permanent injunction requiring Robot Factory to modify its website policies and practices so that Giantrobot.com becomes accessible to blind users. Additionally, Cole seeks compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced discrimination due to these accessibility barriers. The complaint also calls for punitive damages and attorney fees.
Representing Haron Cole in this case is Michael Ohrenberger from Equal Access Law Group PLLC. The case is presided over by judges from the Northern District of Illinois under Case No.: 1:25-cv-13624.
Source: 125cv13624_Haron_Cole_v_Robot_Factory_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
