A new lawsuit claims that a major online retailer’s website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired customers, allegedly denying them equal access to goods and services in violation of federal law. The complaint was filed by Ashley Bahena on March 6, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Frank’s Sport Shop, Inc.
According to the filing, Bahena is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites. She alleges that Frank’s Sport Shop’s website, frankssports.com, contains significant barriers that prevent her and others with similar disabilities from independently browsing or making purchases online. The complaint states: “Defendant is denying blind and visually impaired individuals throughout the United States equal access to the goods and services Defendant provides to their non-disabled customers through the Website.”
The suit outlines several technical shortcomings on the company’s website that allegedly make it unusable for those who depend on assistive technology. Among these are missing alternative text for images, improper heading structures, inaccessible forms, ambiguous link texts, and interactive elements that cannot be accessed using only a keyboard. The document details Bahena’s experience when she attempted to purchase a hoodie from the site on July 17, 2025. She encountered multiple obstacles including an inability to bypass repeated blocks of content due to a missing “Skip to Content” link and problems navigating product options using her screen reader.
Bahena asserts that these issues violate Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability in places of public accommodation—including websites operated by businesses open to the public. The complaint cites guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice stating that ADA requirements apply to all goods and services offered by public accommodations via their websites.
The legal filing describes how other companies have adopted widely recognized web accessibility standards such as those developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), specifically referencing version 2.2 of its Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). According to Bahena’s attorneys, incorporating such standards would not fundamentally alter Frank’s Sport Shop’s business nor impose an undue burden.
In addition to recounting Bahena’s difficulties accessing frankssports.com, the lawsuit seeks certification as a nationwide class action representing all legally blind individuals in the United States who have been denied full enjoyment of goods or services from the defendant’s website during the relevant statutory period. It claims that “Defendant denies visually impaired users access to goods, services and information made available through the Website by preventing them from freely navigating.”
The plaintiff argues that these barriers force visually impaired consumers either to seek assistance from sighted companions or resort to shopping at physical stores—an option not always practical or possible due to mobility-related challenges faced by many in this community.
Bahena requests both preliminary and permanent injunctions requiring Frank’s Sport Shop to bring its website into compliance with ADA regulations so it becomes fully accessible for blind and visually impaired users. She also seeks compensatory damages for herself and other class members for what she describes as unlawful discrimination: “Unless Defendant remedies the numerous access barriers on its Website, Bahena and Class Members will continue to be unable to independently navigate, browse, use, and complete a purchase on the Website.”
Further relief sought includes declaratory judgment affirming that frankssports.com currently discriminates against people with visual impairments; certification of a class action; appointment of Bahena as class representative; attorney fees; costs; pre- and post-judgment interest; as well as any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case was filed by Alison Chan of Equal Access Law Group PLLC on behalf of Ashley Bahena. The case number is 1:26-cv-2519.
Source: 126cv02519_Ashley_Bahena_v_Franks_Sport_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinoispdf.pdf
