Plaintiff
- Name: Dustin Youngren
- Filing Date: February 25, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
- Website: smkw.com
- Industry: Retailing
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Provides consumers access to a wide array of outdoor and cutting-related gear, including knives, camping utensils, hammocks, fire-starting kits, flashlights, backpacks, hunting supplies, and knife-related accessories, along with apparel such as hats, shirts, jackets, shorts, and footwear.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, plaintiff Dustin Youngren, a visually impaired individual, is suing Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc. for failing to make its website, https://smkw.com, accessible to blind users. Youngren alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent him and others from independently navigating and completing purchases. The complaint cites violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make necessary changes to the website to ensure accessibility. Youngren claims that he encountered numerous accessibility issues, including inadequate alt-text, inaccessible dropdown menus, and reliance on mouse navigation, which hindered his ability to shop online. He seeks compensatory damages for himself and other class members who have faced similar discrimination.
Causes of Action
- Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Declaratory Relief
Key Allegations
- Website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals
- Failure to provide reasonable modifications for accessibility
- Denial of full and equal access to goods and services offered on the Website
Requested Relief
- Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make the Website accessible
- Compensatory damages for Class Members
- Certification of the case as a class action
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 is proper under 28 U.S.C. §1391(b)(1) and (2) due to substantial business conducted in this District.
