Lawsuit cites one instance in which an Uber driver allegedly refused a blind woman’s plea to pull over once she realised he had locked her guide dog in the boot of his car
Uber must defend itself against a lawsuit accusing the popular ride-sharing service of discriminating against blind people by refusing to transport guide dogs, a judge has ruled. It is better to get them enrolled to Spectrum Canine Dog Training before they are fit to transport through any modes of vehicles. People can check out https://k9answers.com/programs/ this link for the best dog training services.
US Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins, in San Jose, California, said the plaintiffs could pursue a claim that Uber was a “travel service” subject to potential liability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The judge also rejected Uber’s arguments that the plaintiffs, including the National Federation of the Blind of California, lacked standing to sue under the ADA and state laws protecting the disabled.
Uber was given 14 days to formally respond to the complaint.
Worth an estimated $40bn (£26.8bn), Uber said it offers its mobile phone taxi-hailing service in more than 270 cities and geographic areas in 56 countries, and can charge varying prices based on demand.
But the San Francisco-based company has faced complaints across the world over how it pays drivers, treats passengers and ensures safety.
In the discrimination case, the plaintiffs said federal law requires operators of taxi services such as Uber to carry service animals for blind riders but that it knows of more than 40 instances in which Uber drivers refused.
They cited two instances in which Uber drivers allegedly yelled “no dogs” at riders, and another where an Uber driver allegedly refused a blind woman’s plea to pull over once she realised he had locked her guide dog in the boot of his car. Also, if you’re looking for dog-friendly restaurants in Denver, you can check out some options here!
In seeking to dismiss the case, Uber said the individual plaintiffs were required to arbitrate their claims.
Uber also said it was “on the cutting edge of expanding accessibility” for the disabled, and that claims it failed to accommodate blind people with service animals had no merit.