The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc. This happened on September 11, 2025. The DOJ says Uber discriminates against passengers with disabilities. The case is in federal court in San Francisco. It claims Uber violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The DOJ seeks $125 million for affected riders. They also want changes to Uber’s policies. This article explains the case in detail. It uses simple words and short sentences for clarity.
What the DOJ Says
The DOJ claims Uber denies rides to disabled passengers. This includes people with service animals. It also includes those using wheelchairs. The lawsuit says Uber drivers often refuse service. They cancel rides when they see a service dog. Or they refuse to help with wheelchairs. Some drivers charge extra fees. These include cleaning fees for service animals. They also charge cancellation fees when denying rides. The DOJ says this breaks the ADA. The ADA is a 1990 law. It bans discrimination based on disability.
The lawsuit gives examples. A 7-year-old boy in New York was denied a ride. He uses a wheelchair. The driver saw it and asked, “Is that coming?” Then refused the ride. Another case involves Jason Ludwig. He is a Gulf War veteran. He has a service dog. An Uber driver refused him a ride to an airport. Ludwig missed his flight. He had to drive 16 hours home. Jeff Clark, a blind man, had four drivers cancel on him. This happened in 17 minutes. They learned he had a guide dog. These stories show a pattern, says the DOJ.
The DOJ also says Uber does not train drivers well. The company knows about these issues. They get thousands of complaints yearly. But they don’t fix the problem. Drivers insult or demean disabled riders. Some ask rude questions. For example, they question a rider’s disability. Or they refuse front-seat access for those needing it. This causes delays. Riders miss appointments. Some get stranded in bad weather. The DOJ calls this “significant harm.” It’s emotional, physical, and financial.
What the ADA Requires
The ADA sets clear rules. Ride-sharing companies like Uber must follow them. They must allow service animals in cars. They must help riders with stowable wheelchairs. This means folding wheelchairs that fit in a car. Drivers should assist with storing them. Uber cannot charge extra fees for disabilities. This includes cleaning fees for dog hair. Or cancellation fees for denied rides. The DOJ says Uber fails here. They don’t enforce these rules. They don’t train drivers enough.
The lawsuit wants action. It asks for a court order to stop discrimination. It demands Uber change its policies. It also wants driver training on the ADA. The DOJ seeks $125 million for affected riders. This covers those who complained to Uber or the DOJ. A civil penalty is also requested. This would punish Uber and protect the public.
Uber’s Response
Uber disagrees with the DOJ. They say they have a “zero-tolerance policy” for discrimination. Every driver must agree to their rules. These include the U.S. Service Animal Policy. Drivers also agree to follow the ADA. If they break rules, Uber acts. They may deactivate the driver’s account. This means the driver can’t work for Uber anymore. Uber says they take “decisive action” for violations.
Uber points to their efforts. They have a 24/7 hotline for service animal issues. Riders can report problems fast. Uber investigates these. They also made a new feature in 2024. It lets riders say they have a service animal. This warns drivers in advance. Uber worked with advocacy groups. They made a video for drivers. It explains service animal rules. The video is in the Uber Driver app. Uber says they invest in training and tech. They want to improve access for disabled riders.
But the DOJ says these steps are not enough. The problems continue. Even after the 2024 feature, riders face denials. The DOJ says Uber knows this. They still don’t fix it fully. This makes Uber liable.
Past Issues with Uber
This is not Uber’s first ADA lawsuit. In 2021, the DOJ sued them. That case was about wait-time fees. Uber charged riders who took over two minutes to board. This hurt disabled riders. They often need more time. For example, wheelchair users or blind riders move slower. The DOJ said this broke the ADA. Uber settled in 2022. They paid over $2 million to 65,000 riders. They agreed to waive wait-time fees for disabled riders. Those riders had to certify their needs. Uber also promised refunds. They trained staff to handle these cases better.
The new lawsuit is broader. It covers outright ride denials. It includes harassment and fees. The DOJ says Uber has a “pattern of discrimination.” This makes it a big public issue. They want stronger fixes this time.
Why This Matters
Uber is the largest ride-sharing company in the U.S. Many disabled people rely on it. They use it for work, doctor visits, or daily tasks. Over 61 million U.S. adults have a disability. That’s one in four people. About 12% have mobility issues. Access to rides is critical for them. When Uber denies service, it hurts. Riders miss important events. They feel rejected. This can cause emotional pain. It also raises costs. For example, missing a flight means buying new tickets.
The case could change the industry. Uber’s competitors, like Lyft, face similar issues. A ruling against Uber might force all ride-sharing firms to act. They could face stricter rules. This includes better training. Or higher fines. Experts say costs could rise 5-10% for companies. This comes from new training or systems. But it could make rides fairer. Disability groups support the lawsuit. They want accountability.
What Happens Next
The case is just starting. It’s filed as United States v. Uber Technologies Inc., No. 25-07731. It’s in the Northern District of California. Uber may fight back. They could file a counterclaim. Or they might settle again. The DOJ wants a jury trial. This could take months or years. For now, Uber keeps operating. No court has stopped their service. Riders can still use the app.
If Uber loses, they may pay big fines. They’ll need to train drivers better. They might add new tech to stop denials. If they win, the DOJ’s claims fail. But pressure will stay. Advocacy groups are watching. They hold protests. For example, the National Federation of the Blind rallied in 2024. They want fair rides for all.
Real Stories
The lawsuit shares real stories. Mary Wilson is blind. She uses a guide dog. Uber drivers often cancel on her. She feels rejected. It makes her question using her dog. Vincent Coleman has a neurological condition. A driver refused him a ride. She said she feared “something might happen” to him. These cases show the human cost. Riders feel hurt and stuck. The DOJ says Uber must fix this.
Uber’s Defense
Uber insists they care about access. They say most drivers follow rules. They point to their policies. Every driver sees the ADA rules before starting. Uber also runs ads for inclusion. They say isolated cases don’t show their whole system. But the DOJ disagrees. They say thousands of complaints prove a bigger issue. Uber’s hotline and video are steps. But they don’t stop the problem.
The Bigger Picture
This case tests the gig economy. Uber calls drivers independent contractors. This means less control over them. But the DOJ says Uber is responsible. They run the platform. They must ensure fairness. This could set rules for other apps. Think food delivery or freelance platforms. All may need better accessibility. The case also shows tech’s challenges. Innovation is fast. But inclusion takes work.
For riders, this lawsuit is hope. It could mean better service. For Uber, it’s a warning. They must act or face more suits. For now, everyone watches the court.