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People with guide dogs, wheelchairs allegedly denied rides

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U.S. says Uber ( UBER ) violated Americans with Disabilities Act

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Uber ( UBER ) denies wrongdoing, says riders deserve respect

(Adds Uber comment, additional allegations, Uber ( UBER ) stock price,

case citation, byline)

By Jonathan Stempel

Sept 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Thursday sued

Uber Technologies ( UBER ), 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

U.S. Department of Justice said Uber ( UBER ) drivers routinely refuse to

serve riders with disabilities, including people who travel with

service animals or stowable wheelchairs.

The department also said Uber ( 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 ( UBER ) 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 ( UBER ) said in a statement that it disagreed with all of the

allegations, and was committed to expanding access and improving

the experience of riders with disabilities.

Uber ( UBER ) also said riders who use guide dogs or require other

assistance "deserve a safe, respectful, and welcoming experience

on Uber ( UBER ) -full stop. We have a clear zero-tolerance policy for

confirmed service denials."

INJUNCTION, FINE SOUGHT

The complaint describes Uber's ( UBER ) alleged mistreatment of 17

individuals.

They include J.E., a 7-year-old amputee from the Bronx, New

York, who was allegedly denied a ride home from his brother's

birthday party in Pelham Bay Park after an Uber ( 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, Virginia,

airport from Newport News, missed his flight, and with his wife

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 ( UBER ) practices and

training, monetary damages and a civil fine.

A Justice Department spokesman had no immediate additional

comment.

Uber ( UBER ) shares were up 0.7% in late afternoon trading.

The case is U.S. v. Uber Technologies Inc ( UBER ), U.S. District

Court, Northern District of California, No. 25-07731.