SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Uber and advocates for the blind have reached a lawsuit settlement in which the ride-hailing company agrees to require that existing and new drivers confirm they understand their legal obligations to transport riders with guide dogs or other service animals.
The settlement is designed to resolve a lawsuit in federal court that alleges Uber discriminates against passengers with service dogs.
The National Federation of the Blind said Saturday that Uber will also remove a driver from the platform after a single complaint if it determines the driver knowingly denied a person with a disability a ride because the person was traveling with a service animal.
Federal law requires taxis and other private transportation services to carry a disabled passenger’s service animal.
Under the agreement, Uber does not admit any liability, and it denies that it has violated any laws.
Uber didn’t respond to an email seeking comment