Alice Forehand, a former employee of IXL Learning, Inc., has filed a lawsuit against the company alleging discrimination based on her disability. The complaint was filed by her attorney, Perry S. Friedman, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on December 1, 2025. The case accuses IXL Learning, Inc. of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as New York State and City Human Rights Laws.
According to the complaint, Alice Forehand suffers from anxiety, executive dysfunction, and sensory sensitivity. She was employed by IXL Learning as a Customer Experience Coordinator following their acquisition of Teachers Pay Teachers in May 2023. Initially working fully remotely with her previous employer, Forehand’s job transitioned to a hybrid schedule requiring one day per week in-office attendance after joining IXL. This change reportedly exacerbated her disabilities and impacted her work performance.
Forehand requested an accommodation to continue working fully remotely due to her disabilities but was denied by IXL on July 27, 2023. The company insisted that adhering to a hybrid schedule was essential for collaboration and team building but did not specify which job duties could not be performed remotely. Despite attempting to comply with the hybrid schedule, Forehand found it unsustainable and detrimental to her health and work output.
The complaint outlines that IXL’s refusal to provide reasonable accommodation constituted discrimination under federal and state laws. It argues that allowing Forehand to work remotely would not have imposed undue hardship on the company since she had previously performed all essential functions of her role effectively from home.
Forehand is seeking several forms of relief from the court: declaratory judgment affirming that IXL violated ADA provisions; compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress; punitive damages due to alleged willful misconduct by IXL; back pay with interest; liquidated damages; and coverage of legal fees incurred during this litigation process.
The case is presided over by Judge [Name], with Case ID 25 cv 9993. Perry S. Friedman represents Alice Forehand as her attorney in this matter.
Source: 725cv09993_Alice_Forehand_v_IXL_Learning_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
