Ride-hailing company Uber faces a $125 million lawsuit filed by the United States Department of Justice. The DOJ accuses the ride-sharing company of discriminating against passengers with disabilities.
Lawsuit details
According to the lawsuit, the DOJ said 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 rides to, and assist, riders with stowable wheelchairs and mobility devices.
“For too long, blind riders have suffered repeated ride denials by Uber because they are traveling with a service dog,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said. “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.”
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The DOJ wants the courts to force Uber to stop the alleged discrimination, comply with the ADA and retrain staff and drivers on disability requirements. If found in violation, Uber must also pay a civil penalty as well as any monetary compensation to individuals subjected to the alleged discrimination.
“Rideshare companies like Uber are prohibited from denying riders with disabilities the same access to transportation that riders without disabilities enjoy,” U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian of the Northern District of California said. “This complaint underscores the United States’ commitment to enforcing the ADA’s promise of equal access.”
Uber response
Uber denied the allegations. The company told CBS News they invest in technology, training and dedicated reporting channels, including a 24/7 service animal denial hotline, so riders can make a complaint on the spot. If a driver does indeed deny a rider, Uber says they deactivate the driver’s account. Straight Arrow News reached out to Uber for comment.
