An independent arbitrator ruled that Uber must pay $1.1 million to a blind woman on the grounds of discrimination by Uber drivers who refused to pick her up and left her stranded on 14 separate occasions.
Lisa Irving, who is legally blind and a resident of San Francisco bay area filed this suit against Uber in 2018, stating that, “she was either denied a ride altogether, or harassed by Uber drivers not wanting to transport her with her guide dog,” which she relies on. “It was telling me that i dont belong; that I dont have a right to live my life on my own terms and do the same things any other individuals would have autonomy to decide to do,” Irving further stated.
Irving recounts how she lost her job because she arrived late for work, missed Christmas Eve church service, and her birthday celebration, and how she was left in the dark and in the rain as she suffered several humiliations as Uber drivers refused rides for herself and her dog. ” I’m sorry it came to this, I would have preferred that my civil rights be respected. But it send a strong message that this is not acceptable and (entities that discriminate) will be held accountable for their actions until they change.” Irving told San Francisco Chronicle.
However Uber disagreed with the ruling of the independent Arbitrator with the view that, “Drivers using the Uber app are expected to serve riders with service animals and comply with accessibility and other laws, and we regurlay provide education to drivers on that responsibility,” they further stated that: “We are proud Uber’s technology has helped people who are blind locate and obtain rides.”
The arbitrator ruled that Uber was liable for violations of the American Disability Act (ADA) because its “contractual supervision over its drivers and for its failure to prevent discrimination by properly training its drivers.”
Uber claims that their team is working hard to investigate each complaint and take any necessary actions in the future.
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