The Doj Sues Uber (again) For Allegedly Discriminating Against People With Disabilities

The US Department of Justice sued Uber connected Thursday complete disablement discrimination… again. The suit claims nan institution and its drivers "routinely garbage to service individuals pinch disabilities." It specifically calls retired its handling of passengers pinch work animals aliases stowable wheelchairs. The suit was revenge successful national tribunal successful Northern California.

"Despite nan value of its services to group pinch disabilities, Uber denies group pinch disabilities afloat and adjacent enjoyment of its services successful respective captious ways," nan suit reads. It besides accuses Uber's drivers of insulting and demeaning group pinch disabilities and asking them inappropriate questions.

In a connection sent to Engadget, Uber contested nan government's claims. "Riders who usage guideline dogs aliases different assistive devices merit a safe, respectful, and welcoming acquisition connected Uber — afloat stop," nan institution wrote. "We person a clear zero-tolerance argumentation for confirmed work denials, and we fundamentally disagree pinch nan DOJ's allegations."

Uber said each drivers must admit and work together to its work animal policy earlier they tin statesman driving. "When we corroborate a violation, we return decisive action, including imperishable relationship deactivation," nan institution wrote. Uber noted that its community guidelines prohibit discrimination. It besides added that it sent a work animal acquisition video to each US drivers past year, explaining their captious role.

Earlier this year, Uber added a characteristic that lets passengers alert drivers that they'll beryllium walking pinch work animals. The DOJ's title says nan institution introduced nan characteristic only aft being notified of nan investigation. "But Uber has continued to discriminate against riders who usage work animals notwithstanding nan feature," nan filing reads.

The DOJ is seeking a assemblage trial, injunctive alleviation and monetary damages. It besides wants to complaint Uber a civilian good for violations of nan Americans pinch Disabilities Act.

If this each sounds familiar, there's a bully reason. The DOJ sued Uber successful 2021 complete akin claims. That suit focused connected "wait time" fees sent to passengers who, owed to their disabilities, needed much time. The 2 sides settled nan suit successful 2022. Uber agreed to salary astatine slightest $2.2 cardinal to passengers pinch disabilities who were charged waiting fees. The institution has besides faced a string of lawsuits from passengers complete serving riders pinch disabilities.