[Massachusetts-NFB] Uber denials with the Ride flex

[sharawinton at gmail.com]

Right now, we are simply attempting to find out the frequency of these denials and how it is affecting the riders. 

As this progress’s I will let you know. Thanks. 

 

Shara

 

 

 

From: Justin Heard <braillemasterjustin at gmail.com> 
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2023 9:49 AM
To: NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Cc: sharawinton at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Massachusetts-NFB] Uber denials with the Ride flex

 

Good morning. 

What exactly is our goal? Are we trying to mount pressure on Uber, or pressure MBTA to remove rideshare from the Ride Flex program? 

Service animal denials are frequent with both Uber and Lyft. I would hate for us to target Uber when Uber has, at least on the surface, been working with NAGDU. 

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for pressuring Uber and Lyft to do their part in stopping discrimination. However, I would hate to see either Uber and Lyft disappear from the MBTA program. 

 

On 7/19/2023 5:28 PM, Shara Winton via Massachusetts-NFB wrote:

Hello All, 

Most recently, Several RIDE Flex participants have shared repeated complaints an videos of Uber drivers refusing riders with service and guide dogs. The MBTA cannot legally use state and federal funding to subcontract with an entity that they are fully aware is discriminating against a subset of the population that they are contracted to serve. Uber states that "the state and federal law prohibits drivers using the Uber Driver app from denying service to riders with service animals because of the service animals and from otherwise discriminating against riders with service animals." However, this problem continues to happen. I am looking to gather stories relating to any guide or service dog users who have experienced any Uber or Lyft refusals, whether through the RIDE Flex paratransit program or the regular app. Would you all   please share this message with your network and members?

 

Shara Winton

President, National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

617-304-0347

 





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