The United States Justice Department has initiated legal action against Uber, alleging that the ride-sharing platform breached federal regulations by discriminating against individuals with physical disabilities.
Specifically, the civil rights division of the Department of Justice asserts that both Uber and its drivers “frequently turn away disabled individuals, including those accompanied by service animals or those who require collapsible wheelchairs.”
The company is further accused of imposing additional fees on passengers who require certain accommodations, such as charging cancellation fees when service is denied. According to the DOJ, these practices outlined in the lawsuit contravene the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Although many people with disabilities rely heavily on Uber’s services, the company restricts their ability to use its platform fully and equally in multiple essential respects,” DOJ attorneys stated. “Uber also fails to adequately revise its rules, procedures, or practices as needed to prevent discrimination against riders with disabilities.”
The DOJ contends that these practices have led to “substantial financial, emotional, and physical damage to individuals with disabilities.”
In response, Uber issued a statement expressing its strong disagreement with the DOJ’s claims and emphasized that it enforces “a strict zero-tolerance policy for verified service refusals.”
“Before accessing the Uber Driver app, all drivers must agree to our U.S. Service Animal Policy and comply with all relevant accessibility laws, and we regularly send reminders about these responsibilities. When a violation is confirmed, we take firm measures, including permanently removing the driver from the platform,” the company stated.
Uber has faced longstanding criticism for allegedly discriminating against people with physical disabilities. In 2021, the DOJ filed a lawsuit claiming Uber overcharged such riders. The case was resolved in 2022, with Uber agreeing to pay millions of dollars to over 65,000 affected users as part of a settlement. The company has also been the subject of personal lawsuits and public demonstrations over similar allegations.
According to the DOJ’s complaint, which was filed Thursday in the Northern District of California federal court, Uber was informed in 2024 that its service to disabled passengers was under investigation. After being notified, Uber introduced a feature allowing customers to indicate if they were traveling with a service animal.
This article has been revised to include Uber’s response.
