Justice Department sues Uber over allegations of discrimination against disabled riders

The Justice Department on Friday announced a lawsuit against the rideshare giant Uber over allegations that its drivers have discriminated against disabled customers, including wheelchair users and blind passengers who need service animals.

The lawsuit, which was filed in California on Thursday, accuses Uber of violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability by private transportation companies and requires the companies to allow service animals and mobility devices that are easily transported.

The department claimed Uber and its drivers repeatedly discriminate against disabled people by refusing to provide transportation for some users, and by imposing surcharges like cleaning fees for dogs that shed or cancellation fees for riders with mobility devices that drivers cannot accommodate.

"For too long, blind riders have suffered repeated ride denials by Uber because they are traveling with a service dog,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement. “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," she added.

The lawsuit seeks to force Uber to modify its rideshare policies in order to accommodate disabled riders in line with the ADA, and to force the company to train its drivers on the ADA. It also seeks monetary damages for impacted riders.

“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 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 has denied the allegations, stating that it has a “clear zero-tolerance policy for confirmed service denials," and all drivers have to acknowledge and agree to comply with its service animal policy and accessibility laws. Drivers who violate the company's policies can have their accounts permanently deactivated. 

“Riders who use guide dogs or other assistive devices deserve a safe, respectful, and welcoming experience on Uber — full stop,” the company said, according to The Hill. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.