Steve Miller Reporting CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The online auction site eBay is accused of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A federal class action lawsuit has just been filed by a deaf Missouri woman and her Chicago-based attorney.
Since birth, Melissa Earll says, she has not had normal hearing. And now?
"I am profoundly deaf."
She says she has overcome challenges before. And now she says the obstacle in her way is eBay.
She says eBay told her to be a seller, she had to get a code by phone. And she cannot use a phone to hear.
"eBay asked if my mom and dad were available. I'm a 40-something-year-old adult woman and that was hugely embarrassing, hugely demeaning, and it made me angry.
"And yet I still attempted to engage them in conversation to see if there was an alternative means for me to register."
Frustrated, Earll says, she has filed a class action suit against eBay, alleging violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act - and asking for damages.