[Electronics-Talk] Identifying dog users

Tue Apr 10 17:02:00 UTC 2018

Ben, do you realize that you're saying a person can choose to ignore a law
because they don't like it?  Because it is the law that taxi drivers have
to transport me with my dog.  I filed a complaint with Uber against a
driver who refused to take me with my dog.  I got another driver in time
to make my appointment, but there have been cases where people could not
get another driver quickly, or were left stranded somewhere for a long
time, waiting.  That's not right.  And what next?  Should drivers be able
to say "I'm afraid of young, black men, so I don't want to drive any of
them."?  I don't think so.

I keep my dog clean, under control, and on the floor.  That's my job, and
reasonable.  Expecting me to wait around for someone who likes dogs is
not.
I will sometimes tell a driver I'm the blind person with the guide dog, so
the driver can find me, but I am not obligated to do so.
Tracy

> Hi Ron,
>
> I agree with your position. I tried to weigh in on this earlier, but my
> response didn't post to the list somehow. I personally identify that I do
> have a dog. There are some airlines that ask if you are travelling with a
> service dog, and I always tell them I am.
>
> I also tell taxi companies that I am blind, and that I have a dog. If the
> driver doesn't know that you are blind, they may be expecting you to use
> vision to locate the vehicle. - Uber lets passengers know the make of the
> car, but as I can't see the car, this information is not helpful, so I let
> uber drivers know that I am blind and that I have a dog. - There is an
> uber
> Ex option, that I will use to signify that there is something extra about
> my
> ride.
>
> I like your point about other passengers having an allergy, especially if
> people are using the car pool option. On a bus the person with an allergy
> would be able to get farther away from the dog, and it would be less of a
> problem than in a car.
>
> I got my dog in August, and I also noticed in the last few months how many
> people are afraid of dogs. Once when getting on an elevator there was a
> child about 8 or ten years old who was starting to freak out because he
> was
> afraid of dogs, so I took the next elevator. On public transit, I have
> noticed a number of people, some of them in their twenties,or older
> having
> a strong reaction to my guide dog, even though she is the most peaceful
> quiet dog one could ever imagine. Just the site of the dog makes some
> people
> very nervous, and these people need to be accommodated as well.
>
> I think that if we want to be granted accommodations then we should be
> willing to consider the positions of other people. Everyone has a right to
> a
> work environment that is free of harassment. If a driver identifies as
> someone who does not want to transport a dog then the company can exclude
> them from the pool of drivers chosen to transport a passenger with a dog.
> Then if the ap had a place to indicate if you have a dog, the company
> could
> match people with drivers that are fine with dogs.
>
> There was also some talk about drivers being able to give low ratings to
> passengers, and some speculation as to how this could be used to
> discriminate against dog users. Personally I have not had trouble using
> uber, and I don't think I have negative reviews, but maybe this is because
> of how respectful I have been in proactively communicating my guide dog to
> drivers before they come to pick me up. I would be interested if anyone
> had
> some evidence that guide dog users are being given low ratings by drivers
> with uber.
>
> Also, my dog stays on the floor of the car, but I am wondering if anyone
> is
> allowing their dog to go on the seat of the vehicle. I can understand
> drivers being upset about the hair, and dirt that could come off a dog's
> paws, if they are on the seat.
>
> When it comes to employment, I and many other blind people that I know,
> have
> difficulty in obtaining employment. We don't want to be discriminated
> against, but there are certain jobs we cannot do. I for one cannot work
> for
> Uber as a driver, as much as I would like to, It is just something I am
> not
> capable of. However, there are many other things that I could do, but many
> employers don't want to hire me because they focus on what I can't do,
> rather than working with what I can do. Getting people fired because they
> don't want to transport a dog, is just another form of discrimination. The
> person is quite able to transport people without dogs, so the driver
> should
> have the chance to transport people, and to retain his job. Getting fired
> because there is one aspect of the job that you cannot do seems very
> unfair
> to me. I was dismissed from a job for not being able to read the order
> screen, even though I could do everything else and I was pretty good at
> it,
> - rest assured I got a settlement from human rights over the wrongfull
> dismissal, but that is quite off topic for this thread.
>
> This thread is for electronics, so I would like to focus the conversation
> towards a system where dog users can self identify, and be matched to
> drivers that will take dogs without a problem.
>
> Respectfully yours,
> Ben Fulton
>
>
> From: "Ronald Smith" <ronsmith131 at gmail.com>
> To: "Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances"
> 	<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] New Way to Use Uber and Lyft Without a
> 	Smartphone
> Message-ID: <CAE4761B8FDC460095FF91AC14E7FCF9 at RomSmith>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> 	reply-type=response
>
> I disagree with Tracy's position and a few others below!
> I'm blind, but not a dog user.
>
> If a driver is indeed allergic to dogs, a blind person should have the
> curtosy to inform Uber or Lyft that they have a dog guide.
> This may influence the size of vehicle if there are several people
> traveling
> with or without dogs and especially if one selects a pool trip.
> You could have a pool passenger who is allergic to dogs as well. Now, I
> don't know how one would handle this sticky situation.
> But 99&44 100% people on Uber I'm sure don't ride with dogs. So why
> penalize
> one driver who can pick up many more non dog users than dog users?
> To me, having a dog guide is like adding a second passenger or PCA
> equivalent, thus should be required to declare itwhen booking a trip with
> above or even Access or train and air as well...
>
> Just my opinion.
> ronsmith131 at gmail.com
>
> From: "cheez" <cheez at cox.net>
> Sent: Monday, April 09, 2018 7:14 PM
>
> Long live the golden rule.
> Wow!
>
> Vince
>
> From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
> Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2018 6:44 AM
>
> I do not say I have a service dog when I call for Uber.  If someone is
> allergic, then they shouldn't be driving for the public.  Harsh?  Maybe,
> but
> it's excuse #1, and most of the time it's just that, an excuse not to do
> something.
> Tracy
>
> On Behalf Of Carol Feazell via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2018 6:05 PM
>
> As a point of curiosity and personally not a service dog user, do you
> identify the fact that you have a dog when calling for a ride? I'm
> thinking
> that what if a person was legitimately allergic to dogs. I realize that
> this
> is not the reason most would not want them in their cars. Understand, I do
> appreciate anyone getting a raw deal with a dog and I personally am a
> doglover, just don't have a dog of any type currently. Still think of the
> ones from the past, however. Oh well, so much for that. Do take care and
> hope for good rides for all.
>
> Carol Jean
>
> From: Gerald Levy <bwaylimited at verizon.net>
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2018 3:55 PM
>
> Well, if this driver admitted directly to you that he was allergic to
> dogs,
> he wasn't very bright.  I suppose he could have given you a low rating
> instead to protect himself, and then you would have had no way of knowing
> why you were being denied service in the future.
>
> Gerald
>
> From: Mike via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2018 3:34 PM
>
> I just got a lyft driver permanently removed because he said he was
> allergic
> to dogs. It was very easy & all done with in 1 hour. They even gave me
> back
> the money I payed another driver to go home & gave me a $5 credit. You can
> call Lyft at 503-503-1748.
> Mike
>
> From: Andy Baracco  <wq6r at socal.rr.com>
> Sent: Friday, April 6, 2018 2:39 PM
>
> What you say can be true, but it also can be true for taxi and even
> paratransit drivers.  Uber and lyft do have policies in place regarding
> service animals, but that doesn't garantee that there won't be issues.
> This is why it is important to be familiar with local, state, and Federal
> antidiscrimination laws, especially those that pertain to people with
> disabilities and service animals.
>
> Andy
>
> From: "Gerald Levy" <bwaylimited at verizon.net>
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2018 3:37 AM
>
> Keep in mind that Uber and Lift may not be available in all areas.  In
> general, if you live in a large city and your neighborhood is not well
> served by yellow taxi cabs, it is not likely to be served by these
> ride-sharing services, either.  That's because Uber and Lift drivers tend
> to
> concentrate where the cabs are, because that's where the business is.
> Taxi cabs tend to serve rich neighborhoods and avoid poor neighborhoods.
> The same is true of Uber and Lift.  Another dirty little secret about
> these
> services that many consumers are not aware of is that drivers actually
> rate
> passengers, so that passengers that consistently receive negative ratings
> from drivers bmay not be able to book rides in the future.  So a blind
> passenger who travels with a guide dog may constantly receive negative
> ratings from drivers who dislike dogs riding in their vehicles.  To me,
> this
> is a blatant violation of privacy rights.
>
> Gerald
>
> From: Andy Baracco via Electronics-Talk
>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 10:25 PM I believe that you set up
>>>> payment info when you sign up for Go Go. It is done with a credit
>>>> card, as Uber and Lyft drivers do not accept cash, even though I
>>>> believe that you can tip an Uber driver with cash.
>>>>
>>>> Andy
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Michael Russillo via Electronics-Talk"
>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> To: "Drew Hunthausen via Electronics-Talk"
>>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Cc: "Michael Russillo" <plrussillo at comcast.net>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 6:57 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] New Way to Use Uber and Lyft Without
>>>> a Smartphone
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Ah, interesting. Good idea; I'm curious as to how one pays their
>>>>> driver; I understand with the smartphone app the rider sets up
>>>>> payment through PayPal or something so the Uber or Lyft driver can
>>>>> be paid; I'm curious if this'll work with this service, and how
>>>>> safe is it to give monetary info to Gogo if one goes through them
>>>>> to register? Meanwhile i'll take a gander at the site; thanks for
>>>>> that info; could be really helpful as I don't own any smartphone
>>>>> and I'm not of the tapping school, but old-school physical buttons.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Peter
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 4/5/2018 9:45 PM, Drew Hunthausen via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>>>>>> So this service uses Uber and Lift drivers?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Drew Hunthausen
>>>>>> The No Excuses Blind Guy
>>>>>> #1 Blind and Hearing Impaired Motivational Speaker, Triathlete,
>>>>>> & International Best Selling Author
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Get my free guide, The Five Keys To Living A No Excuses Life Filled
>>>>>> With
>>>>>> Joy, Peace, and Prosperity!
>>>>>> http://DrewsInspirations.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To book Drew for your event go to
>>>>>> http://bookdrew.com
>>>>>> (714) 296-7111
>>>>>>
>>>>>> With an Attitude of Gratitude and no excuses, The Best Is Yet To
>>>>>> Come!
>>>>>> http://NoExcusesBlindGuy.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On
>>>>>> Behalf
>>>>>> Of
>>>>>> cheez via Electronics-Talk
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 6:31 PM
>>>>>> To: Electronic Talks <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Cc: cheez <cheez at cox.net>
>>>>>> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] New Way to Use Uber and Lyft Without a
>>>>>> Smartphone
>>>>>>
>>>>>> New Way to Use Uber and Lyft Without a Smartphone:
>>>>>> GoGo is an automated hotline that lets people use Uber and Lyft
>>>>>> without
>>>>>> needing a smartphone.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Uber and Lyft are available nationally; when you use
>>>>>> GoGoGrandparent,
>>>>>> we'll
>>>>>> send you whichever one is cheapest at the time that you make your
>>>>>> request
>>>>>> for a ride. Their prices are typically up to 40 percent less than
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> cost
>>>>>> of a cab.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Using GoGo is simple: callers call from a number they have
>>>>>> registered
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> us and hear a menu of options. They can press 1 for a car to be sent
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> pick
>>>>>> them up from their home, 2 for a car to be sent to pick them up
>>>>>> where
>>>>>> we
>>>>>> dropped them off last, or 0 to speak with an operator for a custom
>>>>>> pickup
>>>>>> location. Once the driver arrives, they tell the driver where they
>>>>>> want
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> go. When you make a request, a car shows up at your door within
>>>>>> fifteen
>>>>>> minutes, typically less.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To register free of charge, please call (855) 464-6872 or visit
>>>>>> <gogograndparent.com/register>.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Vince
>
>
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