Justice Department Sues Uber Over Disability Discrimination Allegations

Key Takeaways

• DOJ Lawsuit: The Justice Department is suing Uber for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by denying rides to passengers with service dogs and mobility devices.
• $125 Million in Damages: The lawsuit seeks compensation for individuals who filed complaints with Uber or the DOJ, alongside civil penalties.
• Alleged Practices: Accusations include ride denials, improper surcharges for service animals, cancellation fees, and refusal to modify policies to accommodate riders with disabilities.
• Compliance Obligations: The case is another example of the importance of aligning platform policies with federal law and ensuring effective implementation and training for staff and third-party drivers.
• Broader Risk Signal: The lawsuit highlights regulator expectations that companies in the gig economy and service sectors must proactively monitor and enforce accessibility compliance.

Deep Dive

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a sweeping lawsuit against Uber Technologies, alleging systemic discrimination against passengers with disabilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case, brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks $125 million in damages for individuals who reported being denied equal access to Uber rides because of service animals or mobility devices such as stowable wheelchairs.

The DOJ’s civil complaint accuses Uber and its drivers of engaging in practices that effectively excluded riders with disabilities. These include:

• Denials of service to blind passengers traveling with service animals.
• Refusal to transport riders with stowable wheelchairs or mobility devices.
• Unlawful surcharges, including “cleaning fees” for service animal shedding and cancellation fees charged after refusing service.
• Failure to make reasonable policy modifications, such as allowing passengers with mobility impairments to sit in the front seat when necessary.

According to the DOJ, these practices left riders stranded, delayed critical appointments, and in some cases, exposed individuals to unsafe conditions like inclement weather.

Enforcement of Equal Access

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

U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian emphasized that the case highlights the government’s intent to ensure ride-hailing platforms do not sidestep their obligations under federal law. “Rideshare companies like Uber are prohibited from denying riders with disabilities the same access to transportation that riders without disabilities enjoy,” he stated.

The case is another example of the growing risk environment for platform-based businesses that rely on third-party service providers, in this case drivers, whose actions can create systemic liability. The DOJ’s demand for a court order goes beyond monetary damages. It seeks structural remedies: modifications to Uber’s policies, mandatory ADA training for staff and drivers, and a civil penalty “to vindicate the public’s interest in eliminating disability discrimination.”

The implications extend well beyond Uber. The lawsuit signals heightened scrutiny on accessibility compliance across digital platforms and gig economy services. Compliance officers and risk managers in the mobility, logistics, and service sectors should treat the case as a cautionary tale, reviewing whether their own organizations’ policies, third-party training, and enforcement mechanisms adequately prevent discrimination and ensure alignment with federal law.

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