A visually impaired individual has filed a class action lawsuit against a major golf retailer, alleging that the company’s website is inaccessible to blind and visually impaired users. The complaint was lodged by James Evans in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 24, 2026, targeting Worldwide Golf Shops LLC. Evans claims that the retailer’s website is not designed to be compatible with screen-reading software, which is essential for blind individuals to access digital content.
James Evans, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites, accuses Worldwide Golf Shops LLC of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to make its website accessible. According to Evans, this oversight prevents him and others like him from independently accessing goods and services offered online by the company. The complaint highlights that approximately 8.1 million people in the U.S. are visually impaired, with about 260,000 residing in Illinois alone. Evans argues that despite available technology and established guidelines for web accessibility, such as those provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Worldwide Golf Shops has not implemented necessary changes to accommodate visually impaired users.
Evans recounts his experience attempting to purchase golf shoes from Worldwide Golf Shops’ website but was thwarted by various accessibility barriers. These included missing alternative text for images, improperly labeled interactive elements, and navigation issues that made it impossible for him to complete a transaction without assistance. He asserts that these barriers effectively exclude blind users from participating in online commerce equally with sighted individuals. Furthermore, Evans emphasizes that other retailers have successfully adopted accessible technologies and practices, demonstrating that compliance is both feasible and reasonable.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Worldwide Golf Shops LLC to modify its website policies and practices to ensure full accessibility for visually impaired consumers. Additionally, Evans requests compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced discrimination due to these accessibility issues. The legal action also calls for declaratory relief affirming that the defendant’s current operations violate federal law under Title III of the ADA.
Representing James Evans in this case is Alison Chan of Equal Access Law Group PLLC. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:26-cv-2069 in front of an unspecified judge at this time.
Source: 126cv02069_James_Evans_v_Worldwide_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
