Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Uber Over Disability Discrimination
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated legal action against Uber, alleging that the ride-hailing giant systematically discriminates against individuals with physical disabilities. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, asserts that Uber and its drivers frequently refuse service to riders traveling with service animals or using stowable wheelchairs.
According to the DOJ’s civil rights division, Uber also imposes additional fees on passengers requiring special accommodations, including cancellation fees when service is denied. These actions are claimed to contravene the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), resulting in significant economic, emotional, and physical harm to disabled individuals.
DOJ Highlights Failure to Modify Policies
Legal representatives for the DOJ emphasized that despite Uber’s critical role in providing transportation to people with disabilities, the company fails to ensure equal access. The department alleges Uber refuses to implement reasonable modifications to its policies and practices that would prevent discrimination against disabled riders.
“Uber denies people with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of its services in several critical ways,” the DOJ stated in the complaint, underlining the company’s ongoing non-compliance with federal disability laws.
Uber Responds to Allegations
Uber issued a statement rejecting the DOJ’s claims, asserting a fundamental disagreement with the allegations. The company highlighted its zero-tolerance stance on confirmed service denials and described mandatory driver compliance with its U.S. Service Animal Policy and relevant accessibility laws.
“Every driver must acknowledge and agree to comply with our U.S. Service Animal Policy and all applicable accessibility laws before using the Uber Driver app,” the company said. It also noted that confirmed violations result in decisive actions, including permanent driver deactivation.
Context and Previous Legal Challenges
This lawsuit marks the latest in a series of legal challenges Uber has faced concerning disability discrimination. In 2021, the DOJ sued Uber for overcharging riders with disabilities, culminating in a 2022 settlement where Uber paid millions to more than 65,000 affected users.
Additionally, Uber has confronted numerous individual lawsuits and public protests over similar allegations. The current complaint notes that the DOJ informed Uber in 2024 about the ongoing investigation into its treatment of disabled riders. Subsequently, Uber introduced a feature allowing passengers to self-identify when traveling with service animals.
The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of Uber’s accessibility practices and the broader challenges faced by ride-hailing services in meeting federal disability standards.
FinOracleAI — Market View
The DOJ’s renewed legal action against Uber over disability discrimination raises regulatory and reputational risks for the company. The lawsuit may result in financial penalties and increased compliance costs, potentially affecting investor sentiment in the short term. Uber’s prior settlement and ongoing public scrutiny suggest that monitoring regulatory developments and company responses will be critical.
Impact: negative
