Plaintiff
- Name: CAITLIN WALSH
- Filing Date: November 23, 2025
- Court: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: STEIN SAKS, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: KAO USA, INC.
- Website: www.oribe.com
- Industry: Retailing
- Summary: Offers luxury hair care products, styling solutions, and treatments, including a professional hair care collection.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, plaintiff Caitlin Walsh, a visually impaired individual, is suing KAO USA, INC. for failing to make its website, www.oribe.com, accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint alleges that the website contains numerous barriers that prevent blind users from accessing its goods and services, including missing alt-text and broken links. Plaintiffs seek a permanent injunction to require the defendant to comply with accessibility standards and to ensure that the website is usable by individuals with disabilities.
Causes of Action
- Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182 et seq.
- Declaratory Relief
Key Allegations
- Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
- Plaintiff encountered multiple access barriers preventing her from using the website effectively.
- Defendant has failed to comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
Requested Relief
- Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its website accessible.
- Declaration that Defendant's website discriminates against blind individuals.
- Certification of the Class under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23.
Proposed Class
All legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Defendant’s Website and as a result have been denied access to the equal enjoyment of goods and services, during the relevant statutory period.
Jurisdiction & Venue
This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 12182; venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. §1391(b)(1) and (2).
