1 million dollars compensation
Uber is to pay more than $1 million in compensation to a blind woman in California who was refused a ride by drivers on 14 separate occasions.
Lisa Irving sued the company in 2018 because she says she was denied transportation services 14 times and was abused by Uber drivers who did not want to transport her with a guide dog.
Uber, for its part, said that if the drivers were self-employed, the company was not responsible for their discriminatory actions.
The American Arbitration Association ruled that "regardless of whether the driver is an employee or self-employed, Uber is subject to the (Americans with Disabilities Act) ADA. Under this law, the transport service provider is obliged to ensure equal and fair access to these services, including for people with guide dogs.
"Uber is liable for each of these cases under the ADA as interpreted by the Department of Justice, as well as in view of Uber's contractually negotiated oversight of its drivers and its failure to prevent discrimination by providing proper training", the association said in the document.
Law firm Peiffer Wolf, which represents Irving, said the arbitration association has ruled that Uber must now pay it more than $1 million.
"Transport giant Uber has been ordered to pay over $1 million to Lisa Irving", the firm said in a statement.
Peiffer Wolf's website also states the specific amount of compensation.
"Uber is to pay a record $1.1 million to a blind passenger of the carrier", reads the headline of a message posted on the firm's website.
Uber is a car transport service that allows you to order a private taxi. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco. Today, Uber services are available in more than 100 cities around the world. The company receives a 20% commission from taxi drivers on each call.