Lyft Settlement Ensures Rights of Disabled Passengers With Service Animals

Lyft has agreed to a settlement following a complaint from Tori Andres, a college student who experienced repeated refusals from Lyft drivers to allow her service dog, Alfred, to accompany her on rides. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights investigated and found Lyft in violation of the state’s Human Rights Act. The settlement mandates driver training on the rights of passengers with disabilities and updates to the Lyft app to apply the agreement nationwide. Drivers now face potential “deactivation” for refusing rides to passengers with service animals or wheelchairs.

Lyft downplayed the settlement, claiming existing policies already addressed the concerns, but acknowledged a strict service animal policy is in place with consequences for violations. Recent app updates allow riders to indicate they are traveling with a service animal and report any denials of service. The Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner, Rebecca Lucero, emphasized that access to rideshares is a civil right and encouraged all businesses to review their accessibility policies.

While Uber is not directly part of this settlement, Lucero stated the Minnesota Human Rights Act applies to all ride-share companies. The federal government is currently pursuing a lawsuit against Uber alleging similar discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

(Source：Insurance Journal)