The Justice Department filed a $125 million lawsuit against Uber, alleging the company discriminates against disabled passengers.
The Justice Department has filed a $125 million lawsuit against Uber, alleging that the ride-sharing company discriminates against passengers with disabilities.
The department said Uber violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability, by routinely refusing to serve individuals with disabilities, charging cleaning fees because of service animal shedding, and charging cancellation fees to riders who are « unlawfully denied service. » Uber said in a statement that it disagrees with the DOJ’s allegations.
The ADA requires ride-sharing companies to allow service animals accompany people with disabilities on rides and provide rides and assistance to people with stowable wheelchairs and mobility devices, the Justice Department said.
The lawsuit, reviewed by CBS News, highlighted that Uber is the largest ride-share service in the U.S., and said that « many individuals with disabilities increasingly rely on Uber’s services to meet their transportation needs—including to travel to work, medical appointments, religious services, and other important places. »
The department said the company has refused to reasonably modify its policies « to avoid discriminating against riders with disabilities » or train drivers in ADA compliance.
