A visually-impaired woman has filed a lawsuit against a company for failing to make its website accessible to blind users, sparking an important conversation about digital accessibility and inclusivity. On November 26, 2025, Erika Alexandria lodged a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Coclico, Inc., alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL).
Erika Alexandria, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites, accuses Coclico, Inc. of not designing or maintaining its website, www.coclico.com, in a manner that allows full access to visually impaired individuals. According to the complaint, this oversight effectively denies her and others like her equal access to the goods and services offered by Coclico. The plaintiff cites several barriers on the website that prevent free use by those using screen-reading technology. These include missing alt-text for images, improperly formatted lists, inaccessible interactive elements that require mouse usage rather than keyboard navigation, and broken links that lead nowhere.
The case emphasizes how critical it is for companies to adhere to established web accessibility guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 set forth by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines are designed to ensure websites are usable by people with disabilities. “Defendant’s denial of full and equal access…has caused Plaintiff to suffer an injury in fact,” reads the complaint. Erika Alexandria seeks a permanent injunction requiring Coclico to adopt policies ensuring their website becomes accessible under these guidelines.
The plaintiff is asking for more than just compliance; she demands compensatory damages and civil penalties under NYCHRL for each offense. She also requests declaratory relief confirming that Coclico’s current practices discriminate against blind individuals under both federal and city laws. Moreover, she seeks certification of a nationwide class action representing all legally blind individuals who have been denied equal enjoyment of goods and services from Coclico’s website.
Represented by attorney Rami Salim from Stein Saks PLLC in Hackensack, New Jersey, Erika Alexandria stands firm in her demand for change. The case is overseen by judges at the Southern District Court of New York under Case No.: 25-9864.
Source: 125cv09864_Erika_Alexandria_v_Coclico_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
