[blindlaw] Yet Another Service Dog Issue

[Stewart, Christopher K]

Hi List,

I'm a second-year law student, and I work part time as a clerk in a
downtown firm here in Lexington. Because of the public transportation
system, in order to make a quick, smooth trip from school to work and
back, I use taxi cabs.

After my first few trips, they put in the notes on my call that I have
a guide dog. Afterwards, I started getting the auto-generated messages
that cabs were in route, then 15 minutes later another cab would be in
route, then pretty soon I'm an hour late to work. A company employee
told me specifically that these repeated calls were due to people's
unwillingness to accommodate my dog. Once, a driver showed up, saw my
dog, and left. I called his cell, and he said "I no will take dog."

So, I have company employees, on record, telling me that their drivers
are refusing to take passengers with guide dogs.

I am in Kentucky, and as a law student, I'm obviously busy. However,
I'd love to pursue this. One of the employees even said that it was
terrible of the drivers, and she would do anything to help change it
if she could. Moreover, the general manager wants to work the
situation out. But, the real problem are the owners and the cab
drivers.

 Sorry to go on, but if anyone knows a disability rights attorney in
Lexington, or Louisville, Kentucky, I'd appreciate a reference.

Best,
Chris


-- 
Chris K. Stewart
University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D. Candidate, 2016
Staff Editor, Kentucky Law Journal
Co-President, American Constitution Society
California Institute of the Arts, B.F.A. 2010
Ph:
(502)457-1757