Plaintiff
- Name: Livingston Bennett
- Filing Date: April 30, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: The Beard Struggle Inc.
- Website: www.thebeardstruggle.com
- Industry: Consumer Goods
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Provides a wide array of beard care and grooming products, including heated beard straighteners, oils, balms, washes, conditioners, grooming kits, combs, brushes, and styling products.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, LIVINGSTON BENNETT, a visually impaired individual, is suing The Beard Struggle Inc. for failing to make its website, thebeardstruggle.com, accessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Bennett alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent him and others from independently navigating and completing purchases. Specific issues include inadequate alternative text for images, lack of keyboard navigation, and reliance on mouse-only interactions. Bennett 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 denied access to 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 accessibility standards
- Declaration of discriminatory practices 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) due to substantial business conducted in this District.
