Plaintiff
- Name: Daniel Barlow
- Filing Date: May 30, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Mizuba Corporation
- Website: mizubatea.com
- Industry: Food Products
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Provides consumers access to a wide range of Japanese teas, including loose-leaf green teas, ceremonial-grade matcha powders, tea bundles and gift sets, and tea brewing tools and accessories.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Daniel Barlow, a visually impaired individual, is suing Mizuba Corporation for failing to make its website, mizubatea.com, accessible to blind users. Barlow alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent him and others from independently navigating and completing purchases. He claims these barriers violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Barlow seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced. The complaint also seeks class action status for all legally blind individuals who have faced similar issues with the website.
Causes of Action
- Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Key Allegations
- Website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals
- Access barriers prevent independent navigation and transactions
- Defendant failed to implement necessary accessibility features
Requested Relief
- Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit violations of the ADA
- Injunction requiring compliance with ADA
- Declaration of discrimination against visually impaired individuals
- Class action certification
- Pre- and post-judgment interest
- Award of costs and attorney fees
Proposed Class
all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access the Website and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by the Website, during the relevant statutory period.
Jurisdiction & Venue
Subject-matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 12182; venue proper under 28 U.S.C. §1391(b)(1) and (2)
