A visually-impaired man has filed a lawsuit against a chocolate company, alleging that its website is inaccessible to blind and visually-impaired individuals. The complaint was filed by Clay Lee Jones in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on November 26, 2025, against Harlem Chocolate Factory, LLC.
Clay Lee Jones, who is legally blind and requires screen-reading software to access online content, accuses Harlem Chocolate Factory of failing to design and maintain its website in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to Jones, this failure prevents him and others with similar disabilities from enjoying full access to the company’s online services. The lawsuit highlights that approximately 8.1 million people in the U.S. are visually impaired, including around 400,000 in New York State alone. Despite these numbers, Jones argues that Harlem Chocolate Factory’s website remains inaccessible due to various barriers such as missing alt-text for images and reliance on mouse-dependent navigation.
Jones’s legal action emphasizes the importance of web accessibility for disabled individuals under both federal and local laws. The ADA mandates that public accommodations provide equal access to goods and services for people with disabilities. Similarly, New York City law requires reasonable accommodations for disabled persons accessing public services. The plaintiff asserts that Harlem Chocolate Factory’s non-compliance with these laws constitutes discrimination against visually-impaired consumers.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction compelling Harlem Chocolate Factory to modify its website policies and practices to ensure ongoing accessibility for blind users. This includes regular testing by qualified consultants and training employees on accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Additionally, Jones demands compensatory damages for the alleged civil rights violations under New York City Human Rights Law.
Representing Clay Lee Jones is attorney Rami Salim from Stein Saks PLLC. The case is being overseen by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under Case No.: 25-9881.
Source: 125cv09881_Clay_Lee_v_Harlem_Chocolate_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
