Deaf Uber Driver Must Arbitrate Claim Over Rider-Ratings Appeal

Uber Technologies Inc. can force a deaf nonverbal former driver to arbitrate his claims that the inaccessibility of the company’s channels for appealing the negative rider ratings that spurred his discharge amounts to discrimination based on his disabilities, the Northern District of California ruled.

Courtney Dawson doesn’t contend that he never signed Uber’s technology services agreement, which contains language requiring drivers to arbitrate work-related disputes with the company, the court said. He also didn’t opt out of the agreement even though the pact gave him the opportunity to do so. Nor did he argue that the pact doesn’t apply to ...