A visually impaired individual has taken legal action against a major appliance manufacturer, alleging that the company’s website is inaccessible to those with disabilities. Isaiah McKinnley filed a class-action lawsuit on November 19, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Whirlpool Corporation. The complaint centers around accessibility barriers on Whirlpool’s Maytag brand website, which McKinnley claims violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related state and local laws.
Isaiah McKinnley, who is legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, relies on screen-reading software to navigate online platforms. He alleges that Whirlpool’s website, www.maytag.com, contains numerous accessibility barriers that prevent him from accessing product information and completing purchases. Specifically, McKinnley encountered issues such as empty buttons, missing alternative text, unlabeled form fields, and inaccessible promotional banners while attempting to research and purchase a refrigerator in October and November 2025. These barriers are said to violate the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards.
The lawsuit argues that these accessibility issues amount to discrimination under Title III of the ADA by denying individuals with disabilities full and equal access to goods and services offered by Whirlpool. Additionally, McKinnley contends that Whirlpool’s failure to provide an accessible website also violates New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), and New York State Civil Rights Law (NYCRL). As part of his complaint, McKinnley seeks a permanent injunction requiring Whirlpool to remediate its website and adopt policies ensuring ongoing compliance with accessibility standards.
McKinnley’s case emphasizes the importance of digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities who rely on online platforms for essential tasks such as shopping and managing household needs. The plaintiff seeks declaratory relief affirming Whirlpool’s obligations under federal and state laws and injunctive relief mandating continuous accessibility monitoring of its website. Additionally, he requests compensatory damages for himself and other similarly affected individuals.
Represented by Joseph & Norinsberg LLC, attorney Robert Schonfeld filed the complaint on behalf of Isaiah McKinnley. The case is assigned Docket No. 1:25-cv-09649 in front of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Source: 125cv09649_Isaiah_Mckinnley_v_Whirlpool_Corporationr_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
