A class action lawsuit has been filed claiming that a major online retailer’s website denies blind and visually impaired individuals equal access to its goods and services, allegedly violating federal disability law. The complaint was brought by Livingston Bennett on March 9, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Metacommerce, Inc., which operates under the name Haiku Designs.
According to the filing, Bennett is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to access digital content. He alleges that Haiku Designs’ website (https://haikudesigns.com) contains significant barriers that prevent him and others with similar disabilities from independently browsing products or completing purchases online. The complaint states that these barriers include missing alternative text for images, inaccessible forms, ambiguous link texts, improper heading structures, drop-down menus that cannot be navigated by keyboard alone, and contact information not accessible via screen readers.
The document outlines Bennett’s personal experience attempting to purchase a bamboo platform bed from the site on September 8, 2025. Despite reading positive customer feedback about the company’s minimalist design and sustainable materials, he was unable to complete his transaction due to these accessibility issues. Specifically, Bennett reports that navigation menus did not expand using keyboard commands; product images had identical descriptions announced by his screen reader; links were unclear; and he could not access customer support because the phone number was unreadable by assistive technology.
Bennett argues that these obstacles force visually impaired customers either to seek assistance from sighted individuals or make purchases at physical stores—sometimes requiring additional time or transportation—while sighted customers can shop independently online. The complaint cites guidance from the United States Department of Justice stating that web accessibility requirements apply to all goods and services offered by public accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The suit asserts that despite readily available technology and established standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), Haiku Designs has failed to make its website accessible. It claims this failure constitutes intentional discrimination under Title III of the ADA by denying full enjoyment of goods and services provided through its website—a place of public accommodation as defined by federal law.
Bennett seeks certification of a nationwide class consisting of all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Haiku Designs’ website but were denied equal enjoyment of its offerings during the relevant statutory period. He requests both declaratory relief—asking for a judicial determination regarding rights and obligations—and injunctive relief requiring Haiku Designs to bring its website into compliance with accessibility laws. Additionally, he seeks compensatory damages for alleged emotional distress suffered as a result of being excluded from independent participation in online commerce.
The legal arguments focus on whether Haiku Designs’ website qualifies as a public accommodation under federal law; whether it denies equal opportunity for disabled individuals; and whether reasonable modifications could be made without fundamentally altering the nature of its business or imposing undue burden.
The complaint asks for preliminary and permanent injunctions prohibiting further violations of federal disability law; an order requiring all necessary steps be taken so that visually impaired users can fully access the site; certification of Bennett as class representative; appointment of his attorneys as class counsel; pre- and post-judgment interest; costs and attorney fees; as well as any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Bennett is represented by Michael Ohrenberger of Equal Access Law Group PLLC. The case is identified as Case No.: 1:26-cv-2637.
Source: 126cv02637_Livingston_Bennett_v_Metacommerce_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
