A lawsuit filed in NYC claims Uber is in violation of human rights laws

In a dramatic turn of events (just kidding, we're getting used to this) Uber was hit with another lawsuit this week.

And just like the one filed in Washington, D.C., last month, this one is related to accessible vehicles for people with disabilities.

Disability Rights Advocates, a national nonprofit, filed a class-action lawsuit against the ride-sharing company on behalf of several groups and people.

The suit was filed, the DRA says, because "Uber is 99.9% inaccessible to people with mobility disabilities."

The suit alleges that Uber is violating human rights laws in New York City, noting that fewer than 100 of the 58,000 vehicles Uber has in the city are wheelchair-accessible under UberWAV.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID), the Taxis For All Campaign, the Disabled In Action of Metropolitan New York (DIA), and two individuals; Valerie Joseph, and Gabriela Amari.

Joseph and Amari both work for the BCID, according to Reuters.

"UberWAV makes up only .1% of the 58,000 vehicle fleet. It’s just window dressing designed to skirt anti-discrimination laws," said Michelle Caiola, Director of Litigation at DRA’s New York Office. "Uber must not be allowed to operate in New York City in a discriminatory manner.  It must ensure its convenience and benefits are available to all people equally."

Presently, Uber has close to 200 WAV vehicles on the road in New York City.

In an emailed statement, an Uber spokesperson told Mashable, "Uber’s technology has expanded access to reliable transportation options for all riders, including those with disabilities and has enabled people with disabilities to earn income in new ways.

While there is certainly more work to be done, we will continue advocating for a solution that offers affordable, reliable transportation to those who need a wheelchair accessible vehicle."

A statement released by the DRA notes a lack of options when it comes to accessible transportation options, citing the subway system as "mostly inaccessible," and Access-A-Ride as "abysmal."

"Uber could provide a great benefit to people with mobility disabilities, if it provided equal and non-discriminatory service," the statement says.

"Instead, Uber, a company valued at over $50 billion, has chosen to neglect people with disabilities who use wheelchairs and to provide them with inferior service in direct violation of the law."

The lawsuit alleges that Uber is in violation of the New York City Human Rights Law, which states that it's an "unlawful, discriminatory practice" to deny people "the full and equal enjoyment, on equal terms and conditions, of any of the accommodations, advantages, services, facilities or privileges of the place or provider of public accommodation."

According to the DRA, "Plaintiffs do not seek monetary damages, but seek only to achieve equal access to Uber’s services."

The lawsuit filed in June in Washington, D.C., alleged that Uber was in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the D.C. Human Rights Act.