ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: Skincare Brands

Plaintiff Jessica Towns has filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, on October 10, 2025, against an international skincare company. The complaint alleges that the defendant's consumer-facing websites are not fully accessible to and independently usable by blind and visually impaired individuals, thus denying them equal access to products and services.

According to the plaintiff, the digital platforms present numerous accessibility barriers, including missing alternative text on promotional graphics and product images, unlabeled form fields, keyboard navigation traps, and inaccessible modal dialogs. Further issues cited involve broken links and duplicate IDs, improper heading structure and lack of semantic navigation, inconsistent ARIA roles, and non-descriptive link text. An accessibility audit also revealed ARIA-hidden focusable content, empty buttons, empty headings, low contrast errors, and noncompliant checkout flows, preventing meaningful engagement for blind users.

This action highlights the ongoing legal risks for online retailers and digital service providers who fail to ensure their websites comply with federal and state accessibility standards. Businesses operating in the digital marketplace must proactively address WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines to avoid potential litigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and various state human rights laws, thereby ensuring equitable access for all users.