Re:Uber secures right to continue operating in London
by cosmie on Monday September 28, 2020 @09:42AM
(#24616495)
Not all wheelchairs require a full on wheelchair-accessible van. Many wheelchairs are also collapsible, and capable of being stowed away in a normal-sized trunk. Yet even people using those types of wheelchairs struggle with getting rides.
Both Uber and Lyft have been hit with a pretty steady stream of lawsuits around ADA compliance, and Lyft has an active settlement with the US Justice Department requiring frequent driver education as well as compliance reporting[1].
[1] https://www.engadget.com/lyft-settles-justice-department-dis...
Re:Uber secures right to continue operating in London
by NovemberWhiskey on Monday September 28, 2020 @09:39AM
(#24616473)
There is no general ADA requirement for transportation services to provide wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Re:Uber secures right to continue operating in London
by cosmie on Monday September 28, 2020 @09:53AM
(#24616587)
While that's correct (only providers of fixed-route services like shuttle runs must be wheelchair accessible), there are a number of ADA requirements for private transport services[1]:
Additionally, private entities providing
taxi service cannot discriminate against
individuals with disabilities by refusing
to provide service to individuals with
disabilities who can use taxi vehicles
and/or use service animals, refusing to
assist with the stowing of mobility
devices, or charging higher fares or
fees for carrying individuals with
disabilities and their equipment than are
charged to other persons.
So you can't refuse someone with a service animal, even if you don't want service animals in your vehicle. And you can't refuse someone with a mobility device that can be stowed in your vehicle (such as a collapsible wheelchair), just because you don't want the hassle of the added time or inconvenience of helping stow away their device.[1] https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-accessible-transportation
Re:Uber secures right to continue operating in London
by tick_tock_tick on Monday September 28, 2020 @03:28PM
(#24620362)
So that means Uber is in full compliance?
Guide dogs are basically the same thing. Dogs shed, and some people are allergic, so drivers avoid them since they don't recoup lost time or money if they have to clean their car afterwards. That one's easier to fix, though. Uber is just going to have to take a hard stance on it.
I am curious if the drivers know that they are legally required to allow guide dogs. I also wonder if Uber drivers are liable under the ADA in the states where they are still independent contractors.