Would you believe this? Previously, ridesharing companies were accused of harassment, well, of the drivers. Now, Uber is facing raps and charges over alleged discrimination against disabled passengers. Seriously?
Uber sued
The Department of Justice has filed a case against Uber on Thursday on the grounds that the world’s number one ridesharing app is “discriminating” against riders with disabilities. Is there enough probable cause for the suing?
The complaint, filed in a San Francisco federal court, read, “Despite the importance of its services to people with disabilities, Uber denies people with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of its services in several critical ways.”
DOJ is alleging that Uber and its rideshare drivers are routinely refusing “to serve individuals with disabilities, including individuals who travel with service animals or who use stowable wheelchairs,” that the company imposes “impermissible surcharges by charging cleaning fees related to service animals and cancellation fees to riders they have unlawfully denied service.”
However, it’s interesting that this is their only piece of evidence. In the report on CNBC, there are no statements from disabled passengers that Uber has treated them badly.
Also, DOJ is accusing Uber of refusing to “reasonably modify” its policies and practices to avoid discriminating versus people with disabilities.
Yet, the case pursued. The federal government will conduct a jury trial and injunctive relief, plus monetary damages and charging Uber with a civil fine for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The government doing business, huh.
Uber is being forced to pay $1,738,500 to more than one thousand riders complaining about being charged wait time fees because of their disability, and $500,000 to “other harmed individuals identified by the DOJ.”
Uber denies the allegations
Uber is strongly denying those allegations. In their statement official in response to the lawsuit, provided to Ridesharing Forum, Uber stated that every driver must acknowledge and agree to the service animal policy and “all applicable accessibility laws.”
Drivers violating Uber policies face “decisive action,” including “permanent account deactivation,” the company said. Uber further noted that it also invests in technology, training and dedicated reporting channels, including a 24/7 service animal denial hotline, to “ensure riders can quickly alert us so we can investigate and address issues.”
Uber actually has a dedicated page for driving people with disabilities.
“Serving people with disabilities,” the page said. “As someone who drives with Uber, you can help make transportation more accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Find information below about picking up and assisting riders with disabilities.”
Uber also has information for drivers on how they should handle people with disabilities, ways to help, including welcoming service animals.