In a significant legal move, a visually impaired individual has taken action against a major national retailer for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Edwin Williams filed a class-action complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on November 14, 2025, targeting Express, Inc. The lawsuit accuses the company of failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually impaired users.
Edwin Williams, who is legally blind due to Best Disease, relies on screen-reading software and other assistive technologies to navigate digital content. His lawsuit claims that Express’s website, www.express.com, contains numerous accessibility barriers that prevent him and others from accessing the site effectively. According to Williams, these barriers include unlabeled buttons, missing alternative text, inaccessible pop-ups, and improper heading structures—violations of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. Williams attempted to access Express’s website multiple times in October 2025 but was unable to complete transactions or browse products independently due to these issues.
The complaint alleges that Express’s failure to maintain an accessible website constitutes unlawful discrimination under Title III of the ADA. It also cites violations of New York State Human Rights Law and New York City Human Rights Law. The plaintiff argues that by not providing an accessible online platform, Express denies blind individuals full and equal access to its goods and services. This lack of accessibility not only impacts online shopping but also prevents users from locating physical store locations.
Williams seeks a permanent injunction requiring Express to revise its corporate policies and practices to ensure both its website and retail stores are accessible to blind and visually impaired users. Additionally, he requests compensatory damages for himself and other affected individuals under relevant state laws. The lawsuit emphasizes the importance of digital accessibility as an essential component of independent living for people with disabilities.
Representing Edwin Williams is Robert Schonfeld from Joseph & Norinsberg LLC, based in New York City. The case is assigned Case ID 1:25-cv-09572 in front of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Source: 125cv09572_Edwin_WIlliams_v_Expressr_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
