Justice Department sues Uber for allegedly discriminating against people with disabilities | TechCrunch

The U.S. Department of Justice has submitted litigation Oppose Uber, accusing cycling companies of violating federal law by discriminating against people with physical disabilities.

In particular, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Department claims that the company and its drivers “usually refuse to serve people with disabilities, including individuals who travel with service animals or use an arrangable wheelchair.”

Uber has also been accused of charging riders who require special accommodations for additional fees, including cancellations for denial of service. The Justice Department said the actions, along with other actions listed in the complaints, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“While its services are important to people with disabilities, Uber denies that people with disabilities enjoy their services fully and equally in a variety of critical ways,” the Justice Department lawyer wrote. “Uber also refuses to reasonably modify its policies, practices or procedures when necessary to avoid discrimination against people with disabilities.”

The Justice Department believes that this has caused “significant economic, emotional and physical harm” to people with disabilities.

Uber did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.

Uber has long faced accusations of discriminatory nature of its services to people with physical disabilities. The Justice Department sued the company in 2021, demanding that the passengers be charged. The company finally reached a settlement with the Justice Department in 2022. Millions of dollars, more than 65,000 affected users. Uber has also been subject to personal lawsuits from many passengers who are suspected of similar discrimination and face Public protests.

The Justice Department said in a complaint filed Thursday in the Northern California area that the company reminded Uber in 2024 that the company’s treatment of people with disabilities is under investigation. According to the complaint, after Uber realized this, the company A feature was launched Passengers can self-identify and they are riding using service animals.