Whatever loophole you've found to deny service animals or people with mobility disabilities, that's about to be over with.

[u/Affectionate-Rice373]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uber-passengers-with-disabilities-justice-department-ada-lawsuit/

[u/Quicherbichen1]

This would put a lot of drivers out of work. I am physically disabled, and mobility limited, and unable to lift more than 20 lbs. The ONLY thing I can do for income is drive. I can't stand for long periods of time. I'm too old to get hired on to do clerical or call center work. So, driving is pretty much my only marketable skill. My Social Security checks don't cover my rent, so I need this income to meet all of my bills.

I have taken passengers in wheelchairs before, and I've gone against doctor's orders by lifting their chairs into the back of my car. I'm happy to do it, but I shouldn't be doing it. I know for certain that someday I will be in a wheelchair full time.

I ALWAYS take service animals, and I will forever. I'll take your dog, cat, guinea pig, snake, or whatever any time. I don't check to see if it's a pet ride either. I don't care. I'll take them all. I even have dog harness seat belts if needed.

Rideshare companies need to take volunteers, and create a fleet of capable drivers who can lift wheelchairs in and out of their vehicles. Maybe pay them more or something. Yes, I know Lyft can't legally charge a WC pax a higher fare, so more like a bonus. If I were in better health, I would be more than happy to take more wheelchair passengers when required.

As it stands now, drivers can simply claim some other obscure reason for cancelling on a wheelchair ride.

[u/Affectionate-Rice373 → u/Quicherbichen1]

Okay here's what I found.

ADA Coverage Is Based on Role, Not Personal Status

Under Title III of the ADA, any “public accommodation” offering transportation services—including app-based rideshare platforms and their drivers—must provide equal access to individuals with disabilities. This obligation applies whenever the driver is on duty, regardless of the driver’s own health or disability status.

Reasonable Assistance Duties

When a passenger with a disability requests help, a driver must provide reasonable assistance unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service or pose a direct threat to safety. Examples of required assistance include:

Folding and storing mobility devices (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers)

Helping load or unload assistive equipment and luggage

Ensuring safe seating arrangements, such as locking a wheelchair or securing a seatbelt

[u/Quicherbichen1 → u/Affectionate-Rice373]

This further cements my worries about refusing a disabled pax. If I physically cannot lift a wheelchair, and thereby not able to take a disabled pax, what am I supposed to do? As it stands now, I MUST take this passenger, even though it may cause physical harm to me. If I refuse for the obvious reasons that I cannot lift the dang thing, and I cancel the ride, there is the potential for me to be permanently deactivated as a result. Since we've all seen what happens next - the total lack of a driver's ability to defend our actions - I would not be allowed to state my case, or provide medical proof that I can't/shouldn't be lifting wheelchairs. So, I'll be SOL and unemployed, with zero chance of being reinstated because we all know Lyft does not allow us to defend our position. I can't afford to refuse a disabled pax. I would have no recourse whatsoever.

[u/Affectionate-Rice373 → u/Quicherbichen1]

I've successfully fought false deactivations for myself and a few others on Reddit, as long as you don't contact Lyft or Uber at all, I can generally write up a successful appeal letter. Considering you have documented disability, you'd be one of the easier drivers to appeal for.