A lawsuit has been filed alleging that a major online retailer’s website is inaccessible to blind and visually impaired individuals, preventing them from independently browsing or making purchases. The complaint was submitted by Kenneth Henderson on March 19, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Thread Wallets LLC.
According to the filing, Henderson is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to access digital content. He claims that Thread Wallets LLC failed to design, construct, maintain, and operate its website (https://threadwallets.com) in a way that allows full access for visually impaired users. The complaint states that this failure violates federal law, specifically Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as relevant state laws.
The lawsuit outlines how approximately 8.1 million people in the United States are visually impaired, including 2 million who are blind. In Illinois alone, an estimated 260,000 individuals live with visual impairments. Henderson alleges that despite technological advances and widely available guidelines—such as those published by the World Wide Web Consortium (WCAG 2.2)—Thread Wallets LLC has not implemented necessary features like alternative text for images, accessible forms, descriptive links, resizable text, or keyboard navigation support.
Henderson describes several specific barriers he encountered while attempting to shop on the defendant’s website using screen-reading software called JAWS. These included poorly descriptive alternative text for product images; improper use of landmarks and headings; navigation menus that expanded automatically without clear keyboard controls; unclear labels for interactive elements; ambiguous link texts; and requirements that transactions be completed solely with a mouse rather than allowing keyboard-only navigation. As stated in the complaint: “Plaintiff could not learn more detailed information about the product and its features,” and “Plaintiff was confused while navigation, encountering information in an inconsistent order.”
The suit further claims that these barriers prevent visually impaired customers from completing purchases online and force them to rely on others or visit physical stores at additional inconvenience or expense. According to Henderson’s filing: “Defendant excludes the blind and visually-impaired from the full and equal participation in the growing Internet economy.”
Henderson asserts that he attempted to purchase a wallet from Thread Wallets’ website on January 26, 2026 but was unable to do so due to these accessibility issues. He also states his intention to return to the site if it becomes accessible: “Henderson intends to visit the Website again immediately upon Defendant correcting the access barriers.”
The legal arguments center on whether Thread Wallets’ website qualifies as a place of public accommodation under Title III of the ADA—a position supported by recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice—and whether failing to provide accessible web content constitutes unlawful discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
The plaintiff seeks several remedies from the court: a preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Thread Wallets LLC to make its website fully accessible according to established standards; a declaration recognizing current practices as discriminatory; compensatory damages for class members who have experienced unlawful discrimination; certification of a nationwide class action representing all legally blind individuals denied access during the statutory period; pre- and post-judgment interest; attorneys’ fees; costs; expert fees; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Henderson is represented by Michael Ohrenberger of Equal Access Law Group PLLC. The case is identified as Case No.: 1:26-cv-3079.
Source: 126cv03079_Kenneth_Henderson_v_Thread_Wallets_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
