Seyfarth Synopsis: Massachusetts
recently enacted its first statewide ride-sharing law requiring
companies like Uber to provide accessible transportation for
individuals with disabilities.
On the heels of news that Uber and the National Federation of
the Blind ("NFB") settled their
federal court lawsuit in California, which
began with a fight over whether Uber is subject to
Title III of the ADA as a place of "public accommodation"
or a "specified public transportation service,"
Massachusetts is taking ride-sharing accessibility matters into its
own hands.
Massachusetts enacted its first ride-sharing law last month
which – though not the first of its kind – continues
the nationwide trend of states and cities implementing ride-share
regulations. What is novel is Massachusetts's specific
prohibition on these companies from discriminating against
individuals with disabilities, a requirement that they provide
wheelchair accessible vehicles, and a mandate that they
