In a landmark legal battle that could redefine online accessibility standards, a visually-impaired individual has filed a class-action lawsuit against a major outdoor products company. The complaint, lodged by Mykayla Fagnani in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on January 27, 2026, accuses American Outdoor Products, Inc. of failing to make its website accessible to individuals with disabilities. This case highlights the ongoing struggle for equal access to digital content and services for those who rely on screen-reading software.
The plaintiff, Mykayla Fagnani, who is legally blind and represents others similarly situated, claims that American Outdoor Products’ website is not compatible with screen-reading software, thereby violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the complaint, this lack of accessibility prevents visually-impaired users from fully enjoying the goods and services offered by the company’s website. The lawsuit cites a letter from U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Stephen E. Boyd confirming that websites must be equally accessible under the ADA. “An inaccessible website can exclude people just as much as steps at an entrance to a physical location,” Boyd stated.
Fagnani’s complaint details numerous barriers encountered on the company’s website, including missing alternative text for images and broken links that prevent navigation using screen readers. These issues have reportedly caused frustration and humiliation for Fagnani and others in similar situations. The lawsuit argues that these barriers increase isolation and stigma among visually-impaired individuals—a problem Title III of the ADA was designed to address.
The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction requiring American Outdoor Products to overhaul its web policies and practices to ensure compliance with established accessibility guidelines such as WCAG 2.0. This includes hiring a web accessibility consultant, conducting regular audits and user testing with visually-impaired individuals, and providing training for employees involved in web development. Additionally, Fagnani requests compensatory damages under New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), and New York State General Business Law § 349 (GBL).
Representing Fagnani are attorneys Michael A. LaBollita, Jeffrey M. Gottlieb, and Dana L. Gottlieb from Gottlieb & Associates PLLC based in New York City. The case is being heard by judges in the Southern District of New York under Case ID 1:26-cv-00704.
Source: 126cv00704_Mykayla_Fagnani_v_American_Outdoor_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York .pdf
