Plaintiff
- Name: Kendrick Vaughn
- Filing Date: March 23, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Hudson Valley Seed Library LLC
- Website: hudsonvalleyseed.com
- Industry: Consumer Goods
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Provides consumers access to an array of goods and services, including the ability to purchase a diverse selection of heirloom and open-pollinated vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, as well as flower bulbs, live plants, and gardening tools.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, KENDRICK VAUGHN, a visually impaired individual, is suing Hudson Valley Seed Library LLC for failing to make its website accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Vaughn alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent blind and visually impaired users from independently navigating and completing purchases. The complaint cites various accessibility issues, including inadequate labeling and reliance on mouse navigation, which exclude visually impaired individuals from accessing the goods and services offered. Vaughn seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced. The case is filed as a class action on behalf of all legally blind individuals who have faced similar barriers.
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 purchasing
- Defendant failed to implement necessary accessibility features
Requested Relief
- Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA
- Injunction requiring Defendant to make the Website compliant with the ADA
- Declaration that Defendant discriminates against the visually impaired
- Order certifying this case as a class action
- Pre- and post-judgment interest
- Award of costs and expenses of this 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
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) because Defendant conducts business in this District.
