A visually-impaired individual has filed a lawsuit against a major home fragrance company, accusing it of failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired customers. On November 12, 2025, Dustin Youngren lodged a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Decor-Ware International, Inc., alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Dustin Youngren, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to access digital content, claims that Decor-Ware International’s website, Dwhome.com, is not designed to be fully accessible to individuals with visual impairments. The lawsuit highlights several barriers on the website that prevent blind users from independently navigating and completing transactions. These barriers include inadequate alternative text for images, inaccessible drop-down menus, ambiguous link texts, and a reliance on mouse-based navigation that excludes keyboard-only users. According to Youngren’s complaint, these issues amount to discrimination under the ADA by denying equal access to goods and services offered by Decor-Ware International.
The complaint details how these accessibility barriers have personally affected Youngren’s ability to shop online for scented candles on Dwhome.com. Despite his efforts using screen reader software like JAWS, he encountered multiple obstacles that prevented him from completing his intended purchase. Youngren argues that Decor-Ware International’s failure to implement readily available web accessibility standards not only violates federal law but also perpetuates discrimination against blind consumers who rely heavily on online shopping due to mobility challenges.
Youngren seeks a permanent injunction requiring Decor-Ware International to modify its website policies and practices to ensure full accessibility for blind and visually-impaired users. The lawsuit also demands compensatory damages for the alleged unlawful discrimination experienced by Youngren and other similarly situated individuals. Additionally, the plaintiff requests class certification for all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Dwhome.com and faced similar barriers.
Representing Youngren in this case is Michael Ohrenberger of Equal Access Law Group, PLLC. The case is filed under Case No.: 1:25-cv-13868 in front of an unspecified judge at this time.
Source: 125cv13868_Dustin_Youngren_v_Decor_Ware_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinoispdf.pdf
