Brazilian Ride-Hailing App Fined After Driver Refused Guide Dog

A Brazilian court ordered a ride-hailing platform to pay R$ 15,000 ^[1] in moral damages after a driver refused to transport a blind passenger with a guide dog.

This ruling establishes a legal precedent for the accountability of digital transport platforms regarding the conduct of their drivers. It reinforces the rights of people with disabilities to access public and private transportation without facing discrimination.

The incident occurred in Itajaí, located in the state of Santa Catarina ^[1]. The passenger, who is visually impaired, was denied service by the application driver due to the presence of the guide dog. The court said that the refusal constituted a discriminatory practice and a failure in the provision of the service ^[1].

According to the 1st Special Chamber for Addressing Backlogs of the Court of Justice of Santa Catarina, there was "houve falha na prestação do serviço e prática discriminatória" ^[1]. The court maintained the conviction of the digital platform, ruling that the company is responsible for the actions of the drivers operating under its brand.

The court's decision emphasizes that guide dogs are essential for the autonomy and safety of visually impaired individuals. The judgment said that the platform was condemned to the payment of R$ 15,000 ^[1] for moral damages caused to the user.

Legal experts said that such rulings push platforms to implement stricter training and accessibility policies. The decision reflects a broader judicial trend in Brazil to protect the fundamental rights of citizens with disabilities against systemic neglect or active prejudice in the gig economy.