In a groundbreaking legal move, a visually-impaired individual has filed a class action lawsuit against a luxury retailer for failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired consumers. Mykayla Fagnani, on behalf of herself and others similarly situated, lodged the complaint against Harry Winston, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on November 20, 2025.
The lawsuit claims that Harry Winston’s website is not designed to be compatible with screen-reading software, which is essential for visually-impaired individuals to access online content. This lack of accessibility allegedly violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that public accommodations must ensure their websites are equally accessible to individuals with disabilities. The plaintiff argues that by denying access to its website, Harry Winston is effectively excluding blind and visually-impaired consumers from accessing its products and services, thus increasing their sense of isolation and stigma.
Fagnani recounts her personal experience of being unable to purchase items from the Harry Winston Emerald Collection due to broken links and images without alternative text on the retailer’s website. She emphasizes that this exclusion not only denies her equal access but also contributes to feelings of frustration and humiliation. The complaint highlights that approximately 8.1 million people in the United States are visually impaired, underscoring the widespread impact of such digital barriers.
The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction requiring Harry Winston to modify its corporate policies and practices to ensure its website becomes fully accessible. This includes retaining a qualified web accessibility consultant, providing regular training for employees involved in web development, conducting periodic accessibility audits, and establishing clear procedures for addressing accessibility-related issues reported by users.
Represented by attorneys Michael A. LaBollita, Dana L. Gottlieb, and Jeffrey M. Gottlieb from Gottlieb & Associates PLLC, Fagnani demands compensatory damages along with statutory penalties under New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), and General Business Law § 349 (GBL). The case is presided over by judges in the Southern District of New York under Case ID 1:25-cv-09695.
Source: 125cv09695_Mykayla_Fagnani_v_Harry_Winstonr_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
