A new federal lawsuit claims that a major online retailer’s website excludes blind and visually impaired consumers from independently purchasing goods, raising questions about digital accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint was filed by Sandra Ford on March 27, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Perimade & Co. LLC.
According to the filing, Ford is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to access website content. She brings this action on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated, alleging that Perimade & Co. LLC has failed to design, construct, maintain, and operate its website—https://www.perimade.com—in a manner that is fully accessible to blind or visually impaired individuals. The complaint states that “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 document outlines how Ford attempted to browse and make an online purchase of a necklace from Perimade’s website but was unable to complete her transaction due to multiple accessibility barriers. These included poorly descriptive alternative text for images, improperly structured navigation landmarks, ambiguous link texts, inaccessible drop-down menus, lack of keyboard navigation support, missing prompts for online forms, and failure to announce cart updates after adding items. Ford alleges these issues prevent blind or visually impaired users from navigating or making purchases independently on the site.
The complaint highlights that “the Website contains significant access barriers that make it difficult if not impossible for blind and visually-impaired customers to use.” It further asserts that such exclusion denies these individuals “full and equal participation in the growing Internet economy.” The suit references established web accessibility guidelines such as WCAG 2.2 from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which are widely recognized standards for making websites usable by people with disabilities.
Ford argues that despite available technology used by other retail websites—including alternative text for graphics, accessible forms, descriptive links, resizable text, and limited reliance on mouse-only functions—Perimade’s site remains inaccessible. She contends this violates both state and federal law by failing to provide basic equal access requirements under Title III of the ADA.
The lawsuit also notes recent guidance from the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division stating that ADA requirements apply to all goods and services offered by public accommodations online as well as in physical locations.
Ford describes her experience attempting a purchase on January 20, 2026: she encountered ambiguously named links like “Learn More,” identical alternative text for different product images preventing meaningful product comparison, unannounced changes when adding items to her cart, inaccessible sub-menus requiring mouse use rather than keyboard navigation, unclear button labeling confusing her screen reader software, and lack of feedback confirming successful transactions. As a result of these barriers she was unable to complete her intended purchase independently.
The suit seeks certification as a nationwide class action representing “all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access the Website and as a result have been denied access” during the relevant statutory period. It requests preliminary and permanent injunctions requiring Perimade & Co. LLC to bring its website into compliance with ADA standards so it becomes accessible for visually impaired users; declaratory relief affirming that current practices violate disability law; compensatory damages; pre- and post-judgment interest; costs; attorneys’ fees; expert fees; class certification; appointment of Ford as class representative; appointment of her attorneys as class counsel; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case emphasizes that unless remedial action is taken by Perimade & Co., Ford—and similarly situated consumers—will continue facing barriers accessing goods and services online: “Unless Defendant remedies the numerous access barriers on its Website,” states the complaint, “Ford and Class Members will continue to be unable to independently navigate, browse, use, and complete a purchase on the Website.”
Ford is represented by Michael Ohrenberger of Equal Access Law Group PLLC. The case number is 1:26-cv-3425.
Source: 126cv03425_Sandra_Ford_v_Perimade_&_CoComplaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf