Government sues Uber for $125 million after denying trips with service dogs and wheelchairs
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate those affected by Uber's discrimination
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc. for discriminating against passengers with disabilities, including those who use service animals and mobility devices such as folding wheelchairs.
The lawsuit seeks $125 million for people who have been discriminated against and who have previously filed complaints with Uber or the Department.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Uber violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability by private transportation companies like Uber.
The ADA also requires Uber to allow service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and to provide transportation and assistance to passengers with collapsible wheelchairs and mobility devices.
The Department’s civil complaint alleges that Uber and its drivers routinely refuse to serve individuals with disabilities; impose impermissible surcharges by charging cleaning fees for shedding service animals and cancellation fees to passengers who have been unlawfully denied service by Uber; and refuse to reasonably modify Uber’s policies, practices, or procedures, where necessary, to avoid discrimination against passengers with disabilities, including denying people with mobility disabilities the option to sit in the front seat when needed.
Due to Uber’s ride denials, people with disabilities have experienced significant delays, missed appointments, and been stranded due to inclement weather.
“For too long, blind passengers have suffered repeated ride denials by Uber for traveling with a service dog,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
“This lawsuit seeks to end this persistent discrimination and allow riders with disabilities to use Uber. We will enforce the ADA’s guarantee that people with disabilities have equal opportunity and full participation in all aspects of American society, including transportation,” he continued.
“Rideshare companies like Uber are prohibited from denying riders with disabilities the same access to transportation enjoyed by non-disabled riders,” said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian of the Northern District of California. “This lawsuit underscores America’s commitment to fulfilling the ADA’s promise of equal access.”