Plaintiff
- Name: Howard Wilson
- Filing Date: February 5, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Stein Saks, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: VFJH, LLC, d/b/a Spirits and Spice
- Website: www.spiritsandspice.com
- Industry: Beverages
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.1
- Summary: Offers a wide array of spirits, including whiskies, rums, and liqueurs, as well as related products such as cocktail ingredients, gourmet foods, artisanal snacks, glassware, and gift sets.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Plaintiff HOWARD WILSON, a visually-impaired individual, is suing VFJH, LLC, doing business as SPIRITS AND SPICE, for failing to make its website, www.spiritsandspice.com, accessible to blind users. The plaintiff alleges that he encountered numerous barriers while attempting to purchase a Scotch Whisky Set, which prevented him from accessing the website's goods and services. The complaint cites violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make its website compliant with accessibility standards. The plaintiff claims that the website's inaccessibility has caused him and others like him to be denied equal access to the services offered online.
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 full access to the website.
- Defendant 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.
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).
