SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc. alleging widespread discrimination against passengers with disabilities, including individuals with service animals and those using stowable wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims Uber violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to ensure equal access to its ride-hailing services. The ADA prohibits private transportation companies from discriminating based on disability and requires reasonable accommodations such as allowing service animals and providing access for individuals using mobility devices.
According to the civil complaint, Uber and its drivers have routinely denied rides to people with disabilities, charged impermissible cleaning fees related to service animals, imposed unlawful cancellation fees, and failed to modify policies that would allow riders with mobility issues to sit in the front seat when necessary. These actions have allegedly caused riders with disabilities to experience delays, miss appointments, and be left stranded in dangerous weather conditions.
The Justice Department is seeking $125 million in damages for individuals who submitted complaints to Uber or the Department, as well as a civil penalty and a court order requiring Uber to revise its policies and train staff and drivers to comply with the ADA.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division stated the lawsuit aims to end “persistent discrimination” and ensure that riders with disabilities can access transportation equally. U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California emphasized that rideshare companies are prohibited from denying disabled riders the same access afforded to others.
The case underscores the federal government’s continued efforts to enforce the ADA’s guarantee of equal access to public accommodations.
