The US government sued Uber on Thursday, accusing the ride-sharing company of violating federal law by discriminating against passengers with disabilities.
In a complaint filed in San Francisco federal court, the US Department of Justice said Uber drivers routinely refuse to serve riders with disabilities, including people who travel with service animals or stowable wheelchairs.
The department also said Uber and its drivers illegally charge cleaning fees for service animals, and cancellation fees to riders who are denied service.
Some drivers also allegedly insult and demean people with disabilities, or refuse reasonable requests such as letting mobility-impaired passengers sit in the front seat.
“Uber’s discriminatory conduct has caused significant economic, emotional, and physical harm to individuals with disabilities” and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, the justice department said.
Uber said in a statement that it disagreed with the allegations, and was committed to expanding access and improving the experience of riders with disabilities.
Uber also said riders who use guide dogs or require other assistance “deserve a safe, respectful, and welcoming experience on Uber – full stop. We have a clear zero-tolerance policy for confirmed service denials.”
The complaint describes Uber’s alleged mistreatment of 17 individuals.
They include JE, a seven-year-old amputee from the Bronx, New York, who was allegedly denied a ride home from his brother’s birthday party after an Uber driver looked at his wheelchair and asked: “Is that coming?”
Another was Jason Ludwig, a Gulf war veteran with a service dog, who was allegedly denied a ride to the Norfolk airport in Virginia from Newport News, missed his flight, and had to drive 16 hours home to Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts.
A third rider, Jeff Clark of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, allegedly had four drivers in Philadelphia cancel rides in a 17-minute period after he told them he was blind and used a guide dog.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction barring further ADA violations. It also seeks upgrades to Uber’s practices and training, monetary damages and a civil fine.
A justice department spokesman had no immediate additional comment.
