Plaintiff
- Name: Howard Wilson
- Filing Date: March 30, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Stein Saks, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Family Footwear Center, Inc.
- Website: www.familyfootwearcenter.com
- Industry: Retailing
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.1
- Summary: A retailer specializing in footwear for men, women, and children, offering a range of products including work boots, tactical footwear, casual shoes, and lifestyle sneakers.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Howard Wilson, a visually impaired individual, is suing Family Footwear Center, Inc. for failing to make its website accessible as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Wilson alleges that he encountered multiple barriers while attempting to access the website, which prevented him from purchasing products, specifically the Taos Rubber Soul Gray Wash Canvas sneakers. The complaint cites various access issues, including missing alt-text and broken links, which hinder the usability of the site for blind users. Wilson seeks a permanent injunction to compel the defendant to comply with accessibility standards and to ensure that the website is usable for individuals with visual impairments.
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 barriers that denied him full access to the website.
- Defendant failed to comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
Requested Relief
- A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its website fully compliant with the ADA.
- A declaration that Defendant's website discriminates against the blind.
- An order certifying the Class and appointing Plaintiff as Class Representative.
- Payment of nominal damages.
- Pre- and post-judgment interest.
- An award of costs and expenses of this action together with reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees.
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).
