A visually-impaired woman has taken legal action against a popular Chicago-style restaurant chain, alleging its website is inaccessible to blind and visually-impaired users. Tazinique Echols filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 10, 2025, targeting Anthony’s Red Hots, Inc. Echols claims that the company’s website, Joeysredhots.com, fails to comply with accessibility standards required by law.
The lawsuit centers around allegations that Anthony’s Red Hots has not designed or maintained its website to be accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. According to Echols, this oversight constitutes a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates equal access to public accommodations for people with disabilities. “Defendant is denying blind and visually impaired persons throughout the United States with equal access,” states the complaint. The plaintiff highlights specific barriers such as missing alternative text for images and navigation issues that prevent screen readers from functioning properly on the site.
Echols asserts that these accessibility issues have personally affected her ability to use Joeysredhots.com independently. She recounts an experience from July 11, 2025, when she attempted to place an order online but was thwarted by various obstacles like inaccessible forms and unannounced new browser windows. The lawsuit emphasizes that without intervention, these barriers will continue to exclude blind users from accessing services offered by Anthony’s Red Hots both online and at physical locations.
In her suit, Echols seeks a permanent injunction requiring Anthony’s Red Hots to modify its website so it becomes fully accessible to blind and visually-impaired consumers. Additionally, she demands compensatory damages for herself and others similarly affected by what she describes as unlawful discrimination. The complaint also calls for class-action status on behalf of all legally blind individuals in the U.S. who have been denied access due to these barriers.
Representing Echols is attorney David B. Reyes of Equal Access Law Group, PLLC. The case has been assigned Case No.: 1:25-cv-13771 in front of judges at the Northern District of Illinois court.
Source: 125cv13771_Tazinique_Echols_v_Anthonys_Red_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
