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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Walter Mitchell<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>L2T Products and Services, LLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>(800) 340-8211 ext. 101 Toll Free<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>(513) 655-2238 Local Direct Line<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>(877) 226-5824 Fax<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.l2tpands.com/"><span style='color:blue'>www.L2Tpands.com</span></a> Website<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>“From Logistics to Technology,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>We deliver Quality”!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:gray'>NOTICE:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:gray'> This e-mail transmission (including any documents or files accompanying it) may contain confidential information. It is intended only for the use of the recipients named above. If you are not an intended recipient, please (1) do not read, copy or retransmit this communication, (2) delete it immediately, and (3) notify sender promptly. Any unauthorized dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>David Andrews via NFBNet-Members-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 26, 2016 11:12 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbnet-members-list] Fwd: NPR Article Recently Released<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><br>Dave,<br> <br>               In light of our ongoing issues with Uber and our Federal court case, I think this is something we need to share with our NFBNET subscribers. Would you please forward this on to our subscribers’ list for us? Thanks a bunch!<br>Fraternally yours,<br>Marion <br> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>What A Murfreesboro Court Case Tells Us About Uber And Service Animals <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>By TONY GONZALEZ<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Monday, September 26, 2016<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Source: <a href="http://nashvillepublicradio.org/post/what-murfreesboro-court-case-tells-us-about-uber-and-service-animals#stream/0">http://nashvillepublicradio.org/post/what-murfreesboro-court-case-tells-us-about-uber-and-service-animals#stream/0</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Nashville-area Uber drivers are learning more about their responsibilities to passengers who travel with service dogs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>That’s because of a rare court case in Rutherford County — and new nationwide guidance from the ride-hailing service itself. Both are nearing completion<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>and raising awareness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>The case in Murfreesboro surfaced in April.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>James Boehm, a Middle Tennessee State University graduate, said he had started choosing Uber for some trips across town with his guide dog, Shep, a German<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>shepherd.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>While waiting for a pickup outside the veterinarian’s office one afternoon, he said he sensed something was wrong. Because he is blind, Boehm uses smartphone<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>technology that vocalizes what is happening on his phone screen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>He knew his driver had arrived.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>“I hear someone yell, they said, ‘You’re going to have to get another driver … I don’t want that dog in my car,’ †Boehm told WPLN.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>He began to ask why, and noted that the Americans with Disabilities Act protects service animal users.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>“And she literally squealed her tires and took off. And I’m just standing there like, ‘Wow, did that just happen?’ †he said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>A First In Rutherford<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>As a local leader closely involved with the National Federation of the Blind, Boehm knows the law intimately. He has taught advocacy classes for service<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>animal users and courses for business owners about how to accommodate Tennesseans with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>While a bystander came to Boehm’s aid on the day he lost his Uber ride, he followed up with a complaint against the driver — through the app and to local police.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>That led to a misdemeanor charge for denial of service against driver Rolonda Douglas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>The case is a first for the county, said District Attorney Jennings Jones.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>“Quite frankly, I’ve never had this type of case come up before,†he said. “We had to check the law to make sure we had a good understanding of what it said.â€<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>The Class C misdemeanor could lead to 30 days in jail. Authorities wouldn’t comment on the possible outcome of the case, but Boehm said discussions in court last week point to a possible $50 fine and community service.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Boehm said that conclusion would show accountability. As importantly, he said he wants the case to raise awareness for other drivers, and for the authorities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>“People in the community now know that this is happening and they’re educated as to what the law is,†he said. “A lot of this was new to them. They are<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>now fully versed.â€<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Boehm’s case came to light just as Uber was settling a class-action lawsuit in California over guide dog discrimination. The National Federation for the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Blind (NFB) brought the case, saying that ride-hailing could greatly benefit people with disabilities, but only so long as they are fairly served.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Uber <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>has agreed to train its drivers, remove violators and collect data.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>And the NFB will periodically test Uber's compliance by sending service animal users into the field.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>“We hear about stuff all the time, unfortunately, and it’s occurring everywhere,†Boehm said. “You can do a Google search … you’ll just get tons of incidents<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>and stories.â€<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Boehm, 35, recently moved to Nashville, where he’s pursuing a clinical counseling master’s degree from Vanderbilt University.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>TAGS: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>DISABILITIES<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>RIDE-HAILING<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>RUTHERFORD COUNTY<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:.5in'>Related Content<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>                       <br>James Alan Boehm<br>Contact Information:<br>Phone: 901-483-1515<br>Personal Email: <a href="mailto:jimmydagerman80@gmail.com">jimmydagerman80@gmail.com</a> <br>NFB Email: <a href="mailto:secretary@nfb-tn.org">secretary@nfb-tn.org</a><br>Kustom Cane: <a href="mailto:kustomcane@gmail.com">kustomcane@gmail.com</a><br> <br>Blindness never limits-low expectations do! Live the life you want!<br> <o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div></body></html>