A visually-impaired man has filed a lawsuit against a major online retailer, alleging that its website is inaccessible to blind users, thereby violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Haron Cole initiated the class action complaint on November 10, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Tackle Technology, Inc. The plaintiff claims that the company’s website, Fishermanswarehouse.com, is not designed to accommodate screen-reading software, effectively denying blind and visually-impaired individuals equal access to its products and services.
Haron Cole, who requires screen-reading software to navigate websites due to his visual impairment, argues that Tackle Technology’s failure to implement accessible web design practices constitutes discrimination under the ADA. The complaint highlights that approximately 8.1 million people in the U.S. are visually impaired, including two million who are legally blind. Despite this significant demographic and readily available accessible technology used by other retailers, Tackle Technology’s website remains inaccessible. The barriers include lack of alternative text for images, improper heading structures, and interactive elements that cannot be navigated using a keyboard alone. As a result, Cole and others similarly situated are unable to independently shop or complete transactions on Fishermanswarehouse.com.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Tackle Technology to modify its website policies and practices to ensure accessibility for blind consumers. Additionally, it demands compensatory damages for unlawful discrimination experienced by Cole and other class members. Cole recounts his personal experience attempting to purchase fishing gear from Fishermanswarehouse.com but was thwarted by numerous accessibility issues such as missing “Skip to Content” links and non-descriptive interactive elements which made navigation impossible without sighted assistance.
Cole’s legal team emphasizes that making websites accessible is neither burdensome nor technically challenging given existing guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 followed by many businesses globally. They argue that Tackle Technology’s neglect in addressing these barriers not only breaches federal law but also inflicts emotional distress on disabled users who face exclusion from digital marketplaces essential for daily living. The case underscores broader implications for digital inclusivity as e-commerce continues expanding into an integral part of modern life.
Representing Haron Cole is attorney David B. Reyes from Equal Access Law Group PLLC based in Flushing, New York. The case is presided over by judges at the Northern District of Illinois under Case No.: 1:25-cv-13769.
Source: 125cv13769_Haron_Cole_v_Tackle_Tecnhnology_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
