Disability Advocates in Texas sue Uber and Lyft

By Brian M. Rosenthal | Houston Chronicle | July 24, 2014

AUSTIN -- A coalition of Texas disability advocates sued ride-share companies Uber and Lyft on Thursday as part of dozens of lawsuits filed around the state ahead of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"Uber and Lyft are up and coming in terms of transportation companies, and they don't really have any means to provide wheelchair accessibility," said plaintiff David Wittie, of the advocacy group ADAPT of Texas. "They are socially irresponsible and not accessible and equivalent for people with disabilities."

Wittie said denials of services to disabled Texans led ADAPT and the Texas Civil Rights Project to target the companies, which connect interested riders with willing drivers via smartphone applications.

Spokespeople for Uber and Lyft said they had not seen the suits, but rejected the allegations.

"Uber's technology increases access to transportation options for all, including persons with disabilities, and we are constantly working to expand those options," spokesman Lane Kasselman said.

"Lyft aims to accommodate anyone in the community who needs a ride," spokeswoman Katie Dally said. "Many disabled individuals, who were previously underserved by existing transportation options, now actively use and rely on Lyft as a reliable, safe and affordable way to get around.

The suits were filed in Travis County, but theoretically could affect the rest of the state, Wittie said. Uber and Lyft are both operating illegally in several cities, including Houston.

The Houston City Council is scheduled to vote next week on regulations proposed by Mayor Annise Parker that would allow them to operate legally if they acquire permits and carry commercial liability insurance, among other requirements. Taxi and limousine companies oppose the rules, and have filed federal lawsuits of their own to stop the ride-sharing companies.

Also sued Thursday as part of the coordinated effort was Austin-based Yellow Cab, which Wittie said routinely makes people with disabilities wait hours before getting an accessible taxi. The company did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

Transportation was a major theme of the lawsuits, but the coalition also aimed at a variety of other entities. Overall, Texas Civil Rights Project lawyer Joseph Berra said the coalition filed 32 ADA lawsuits ahead of the 24th anniversary of the passage of the landmark federal legislation.

In Harris County, Berra said the coalition sued four businesses, including a Church's Chicken restaurant and a King of Cars location.

He also said it was suing over the inaccessibility in Tyler of the Smith County Courthouse and University of Texas Health Science Center.

The coalition has since 1997 been filing lawsuits around July 26, the ADA's anniversary -- "Independence Day for people with disabilities," Wittie said.

Lawsuits filed in previous years have resulted in settlements that improved accessibility at the Texas State Capitol, Alamo Draft House theaters in Austin and Lone Star Cab company.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Texas-advocates-file-32-disabilities-act-lawsuits-5644400.php