The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken a bold step against Uber Technologies Inc., filing a sweeping lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on September 13, 2025. The federal government accuses the nation’s largest ride-hailing company of systematically discriminating against passengers with disabilities, a charge that has sent ripples through the transportation and tech industries alike. At the heart of the complaint are allegations that Uber and its drivers have “routinely” denied rides to individuals traveling with service animals or using mobility devices such as foldable wheelchairs, in violation of Title III of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
According to The Associated Press and corroborated by statements from the DOJ, Uber’s alleged practices extend beyond simple ride denials. Prosecutors claim that drivers have imposed “impermissible surcharges,” including cleaning fees for service animal shedding and cancellation fees for riders who were unlawfully denied service in the first place. The lawsuit paints a picture of a company failing to adapt its policies to accommodate the needs of disabled passengers—sometimes refusing to let them sit in the front seat when necessary, which has led to significant delays, missed appointments, and even left riders stranded in inclement weather.
“For too long, blind riders have suffered repeated ride denials by Uber because they are traveling with a service dog,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, as quoted by multiple outlets including the AP. “This lawsuit seeks to end this persistent discrimination and allow riders with disabilities to use Uber.”
The DOJ’s action is not just symbolic. Prosecutors are seeking $125 million in compensation for people who have reported such instances of alleged discrimination, as well as a court order that would force Uber to update its policies to comply with the ADA. The government also wants Uber to train its staff and drivers on relevant law and pay a civil penalty “to vindicate the public’s interest in eliminating disability discrimination.”
U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian, representing the Northern District of California, underscored the seriousness of the case. “Rideshare companies like Uber are prohibited from denying riders with disabilities the same access to transportation that riders without disabilities enjoy… This complaint underscores the United States’ commitment to enforcing the ADA’s promise of equal access,” Missakian stated, as reported by the AP and other sources.
The government’s case is built on a series of reported incidents, each illustrating the alleged systemic nature of Uber’s shortcomings. In one particularly stark example, prosecutors describe how four Uber drivers in Philadelphia canceled rides within 17 minutes for a blind rider named Jeff Clark after learning he would be traveling with his guide dog. The DOJ also recounted the experience of a seven-year-old amputee whose family was left stranded for 45 minutes when an UberXL driver refused to transport the child, claiming the wheelchair would not fit in the vehicle. The child’s mother, however, routinely stowed the same wheelchair in standard-sized sedans and insisted it could fit in the driver’s SUV, but the driver would not allow her to cancel the ride without incurring a fee.
These are not isolated incidents, according to the DOJ. The complaint lists several other examples of alleged unlawful refusals and discriminatory remarks by Uber drivers and employees, all pointing to a broader pattern of inaccessibility and exclusion. The lawsuit also references prior controversies, including a 2021 case in which plaintiffs accused Uber of refusing to offer a “wheelchair accessible device,” a violation of Title III of the ADA. That section of the law clearly states, “No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation.” Importantly, the law includes private ride-share companies such as Uber, requiring them to comply with ADA standards.
Uber, for its part, has pushed back on the allegations. In a statement issued Friday, the company emphasized that all of its drivers must acknowledge and agree to comply with its service animal and accessibility policies. “Riders who use guide dogs or other assistive devices deserve a safe, respectful and welcoming experience on Uber—full stop,” the company said, as reported by the AP. Uber further noted that it prohibits drivers from denying service to someone with a service animal and requires drivers to assist with the stowing of devices such as walkers, crutches, and folding wheelchairs. The company claims that when violations are confirmed, it takes action including deactivating the offending driver’s account.
Uber also pointed out that it established a hotline in 2023 specifically for customers who were denied rides because of a service animal. However, the DOJ contends that these measures have been insufficient and that Uber has failed to make the necessary modifications to its policies and practices to ensure equal treatment for all riders.
The stakes are high. In addition to the $125 million in compensation for affected individuals, the federal lawsuit seeks an injunction to bar Uber from further breaches of the ADA. Prosecutors are also pushing for civil fines and a mandate that Uber overhaul its company policies regarding the service of disabled passengers. As of now, no specific court date has been set for the case, but the implications are already reverberating through the industry.
Legal experts note that this case could set a significant precedent for the responsibilities of ride-hailing companies under federal disability law. While Uber is not new to controversy over accessibility—having previously faced lawsuits and criticism over its treatment of disabled riders—this latest action by the DOJ is the most sweeping federal challenge to date. The outcome could influence how not only Uber, but also other transportation platforms, address the needs of passengers with disabilities in the future.
For now, the lawsuit stands as a stark reminder that the promise of equal access, enshrined in the ADA, remains a work in progress. As the case unfolds, thousands of riders and drivers across the country will be watching closely, hoping for a resolution that ensures no one is left waiting in the rain—or worse, left behind—because of a disability.
