In a significant legal move, a visually-impaired individual has taken legal action against a company for failing to make its website accessible to people with disabilities. The complaint was filed by Judith Adela Lopez on February 20, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Advanced Business Strategies LLC. Lopez alleges that the company’s website is not compatible with screen-reading software, thereby violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other related laws.
The case revolves around Lopez’s attempts to access the defendant’s website, enjoyrealcoco.com, which offers products such as coconut water. Despite using JAWS screen-reader software, she encountered multiple barriers that prevented her from completing transactions or accessing information equivalent to what sighted users receive. These barriers included missing alternative text for images, broken links, and other navigational issues that impede accessibility for visually-impaired users. According to Lopez, this exclusion violates her rights under the ADA as well as New York State and City Human Rights Laws.
Lopez’s lawsuit highlights broader issues regarding digital accessibility in today’s technology-driven world. The complaint references guidelines from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and emphasizes that many businesses have successfully implemented these standards to ensure their websites are accessible. By failing to adhere to these guidelines, Advanced Business Strategies LLC allegedly perpetuates discrimination against visually-impaired individuals who rely on assistive technologies for online navigation.
The plaintiff seeks several forms of relief from the court. These include a permanent injunction requiring the defendant to overhaul its website policies and practices to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility standards. Additionally, Lopez requests compensatory damages for herself and similarly affected individuals across New York State and City who have been denied equal access due to these digital barriers.
Representing Lopez are attorneys Michael A. LaBollita, Jeffrey M. Gottlieb, and Dana L. Gottlieb from Gottlieb & Associates PLLC. The case is presided over by judges in the Southern District of New York under Case ID 1:26-cv-01472.
Source: 126cv01472_Judith_Adela_v_Advanced_Business_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York .pdf
