[IL-Talk] Suggestions about Using Lyft

[Sharon Howerton]

I also follow the trip with an app called Swarm; You can check in at different places and get "coins", competing with other people you know, but it also tells me a lot about where we are and what is around me. Otherwise I check in on Maps or even Blind Square but if I comment about where we are, I always explain to the driver that I'm following the trip on my phone. I even do this when riding with my own sons or daughters-in-law not because I don't trust them but because I want to know. A few weeks ago my older son's wife drove me home, I thought I had an idea of where she was based on Swarm but then she started making turns and I finally said, "Where in the world are you anyway?" She explained what she was doing and we laughed about it, she was going somewhere with two other women who were with us after she dropped me off and we laughed about it as she knows I am careful about keeping track of my surroundings. 

-----Original Message-----
From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Dan TeVelde via IL-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, October 5, 2021 10:07 AM
To: 'Leslie Hamric' <lhamric930 at comcast.net>; 'NFB of Illinois Mailing List' <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: dan.tevelde at comcast.net
Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] Suggestions about Using Lyft

Hi Leslie,

These are great suggestions. At least I don't need to worry about a dog discrimination issue. I don't know when or if I will get another dog but that's another story. Have a great day.

Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: Leslie Hamric <lhamric930 at comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 5, 2021 9:59 AM
To: NFB of Illinois Mailing List <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: dan.tevelde at comcast.net
Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] Suggestions about Using Lyft

Hi Dan. Here are a few things that I've helped me out with Lyft/Uber. First, I have a shortcut in my phone called ITB which means I'm totally blind. In that shortcut I put the following text: I am totally blind. Eyes no work. Please speak my name when you pull up. I have used Aira before and have not had problems with the connection dropping so it could depend on the area where you're at. Third, about two minutes or so before the driver is to pull up, I called them, tell them what I'm wearing and that I have my cane orguide dog, and let's stay on the phone until you see me. You can always call Ira after you've scheduled the ride and let them know the color of the car that you're looking for and then they'll tell you when it pulls up. I have my notifications turned on so Lyft or Uber can notify me when the driver has pulled up. If I hear the car pulling up, I will go over to it and ask what their name is and where they're from. If the name matches what I have on the app, but I know that they're from Uber or Lyft and they're safe. I know what you mean about travel being a challenge, especially since the fares have gone out of style. For example, he used to cost me 30 bucks each way to get from my house to Elmhurst Symphony and now it's 50 bucks each way. And that's because I'm going in rush-hour. But if I were going in the morning, it would only cost me 30. And I am not paying 50 bucks each way to get to rehearsal. So Andy is driving me. But not everybody has a sighted person around so what do you do in that case? I hope these suggestions are helpful and hang in there. Hope hopefully others on the list will chime in on the discussion as well and have more suggestions.
Leslie


Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher
Board member of National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division

> On Oct 5, 2021, at 9:15 AM, Dan TeVelde via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> 
> 
> I am running into a few issues with drivers. When they pick me up I 
> can't find the car and they don't seem to understand my text messages.
> Many of the drivers don't speak English so it is hard to tell if they 
> are taking me to the correct address. I use Aira to schedule Lyft but 
> sometimes the connection drops or they can't find the driver either.
> Someone mentioned using a shortcut in the Lyft app to send a message 
> to the driver notifying them I am blind and that they will need to 
> identify themselves by speaking or honking their horn. Traveling has 
> become a real challenge. I don't usually have a sighted person who can 
> take me on errands and I hate bothering people.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Dan
> 
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