A visually impaired woman has taken legal action against a Michigan-based company, accusing it of violating her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals. Ashley Bahena filed the complaint on February 23, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Woodland Direct Inc.
Bahena, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to access digital content, claims that Woodland Direct’s website contains significant accessibility barriers that prevent her and others like her from independently using the site. According to Bahena, these barriers include missing alternative text for images, inaccessible drop-down menus, and elements that require mouse interaction—issues that render the website unusable for those relying on keyboard navigation and screen readers. “The lack of an accessible website means that visually impaired individuals are excluded from fully experiencing and transacting on the Website,” states Bahena in her complaint.
Bahena alleges that Woodland Direct’s failure to provide an accessible online platform constitutes discrimination under both state and federal law. She points out that despite available technology and established guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are widely followed by businesses to ensure web accessibility, Woodland Direct has not implemented necessary changes. This omission excludes blind users from participating in what she describes as “the growing Internet economy” essential for daily living.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Woodland Direct to modify its website policies and practices to comply with ADA standards. Additionally, Bahena is pursuing compensatory damages for herself and other class members who have faced similar discrimination due to the site’s inaccessibility. The complaint emphasizes that without court intervention, Bahena will continue to suffer harm as she intends to use the website again once it becomes accessible.
Represented by attorney David B. Reyes of Equal Access Law Group PLLC, Bahena aims not only for personal redress but also broader changes benefiting all visually impaired consumers facing similar challenges online. The case is being heard under Case No.: 1:26-cv-1983 by judges in the Northern District of Illinois.
Source: 126cv01983_Ashley_Bahena_v_Woodland_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
