A St. Clair County resident who is legally blind has filed a federal lawsuit against a company, alleging that its digital platforms aren't accessible to those with vision problems.
In the lawsuit, Eric Foreman claims that Hoffmaster Group Inc. has web and cell phone applications that "are not properly formatted to allow legally blind users such as
Plaintiff to access its digital content." This violates the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Foreman alleges
Legally blind customers "are deprived from accessing information about Defendant’s products and using its online services, all
of which are readily available to sighted customers," the suit says.
The company, based in Wisconsin, makes napkins, place mats, tableware and other products, according to the suit.
Foreman, who lost his sight at age 4 to glaucoma, seeks a ruling that would require the company to work with a consultant to improve access to the sight impaired. It also seeks "nominal damages" plus attorney fees and other legal costs.
Foreman is a plaintiff in at least two other ADA-related lawsuits filed at the Southern District of Illinois.
Last year, he sued Ford Foods, Inc. and Blues Hog over complaints with those companies' websites.
In all three cases, he is represented by attorneys with the Pittsburgh firm Nye, Stirling, Hale and Miller.
Foreman v. Hoffmaster Group Case 3:22-cv-01226-SPM.