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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> tech-vi@groups.io <tech-vi@groups.io> <b>On Behalf Of </b>David Goldfield via groups.io<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 4, 2025 6:44 PM<br><b>To:</b> tv <tech-vi@groups.io><br><b>Subject:</b> [Tech-VI] Uber Makes It Easier for Users With Service Animals to Get a Ride<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p>PCMag - Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 11:10<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span>AM<o:p></o:p></p><h1>Uber Makes It Easier for Users With Service Animals to Get a Ride<o:p></o:p></h1><p>Uber has rolled out a new feature that allows customers to inform drivers that they will be traveling with a service animal. Additionally, drivers who cancel a ride will be notified that doing so because of a service animal is against the law. <o:p></o:p></p><p>The latest update was developed in collaboration with leading advocacy organizations and service animal handlers. It aims to “help expand accessibility in rideshare” and “foster clearer communication and greater confidence for both riders and drivers throughout their journey,” Uber’s product manager, Chris Yoon, said in a <a href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/serviceanimals/" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">blog post</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p>Since this feature is optional, riders must take a few steps to self-identify as service animal handlers in the Uber app. They can go to <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Account</span></strong> > <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Settings</span></strong> > <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Accessibility</span></strong> > <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Service Animal </span></strong>and complete an eligibility form. Thereafter, they will have to enable the toggle for “<strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>I will ride with my service animal</span></strong>” and choose whether to notify the driver upon arrival or not. Users can change the settings or opt-out whenever they wish.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=32 height=32 style='width:.3333in;height:.3333in' id="_x0000_i1033" src="cid:attach_0_182125F336373E1C_7902@groups.io" alt="Uber's new feature to support riders with service animals"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>(Credit: Uber)</span> <o:p></o:p></p><p>As The Verges <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/605030/uber-service-animal-rules-driver-ada" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">notes</a>, Uber has allowed riders to bring one pet per trip <a href="https://www.uber.com/en-CH/blog/rides-for-you-and-your-pets/" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">since 2021</a>. However, Uber Pet charges a small fee for furry companions. It also allows drivers to cancel rides if the customers bring animals other than dogs and cats or any animals that seem unsafe or uncontrolled. Drivers can also charge a cleaning fee if the pet leaves waste, excessive hair, or damages. (Lyft <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/lyft-now-lets-you-bring-your-pet-on-rides" target="_self">added something similar</a> in August.)<o:p></o:p></p><p>For service animals, the <a href="https://www.uber.com/legal/en/document/?name=service-animal-policy&country=united-states&lang=en" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">policies</a> are different. There will be no extra onboarding or cleaning fees. Riders can request a <a href="https://www.uber.com/legal/en/document/?name=refund-policy&country=united-states&lang=en" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">refund</a> if they are improperly charged extra. Additionally, drivers who violate Uber's Service Animal policy and community guidelines "may permanently lose access to the platform," Yoon said. <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><h3>Recommended by Our Editors<o:p></o:p></h3></div></div><p>To ensure no one is misusing the new feature, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), drivers are allowed to ask if it is a service animal and what tasks the animal is trained to perform, an Uber spokesperson tells The Verge. <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:~WRD0001.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Newsletter Icon"></span><o:p></o:p></p><h3>Get Our Best Stories! <o:p></o:p></h3><p class=mt-3>Sign up for <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>What's New Now</span></strong> to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=mt-4>This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking the button, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our <a href="http://www.ziffdavis.com/terms-of-use" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="https://www.ziffdavis.com/ztg-privacy-policy" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">Privacy Policy</a>. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. <o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:~WRD0001.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Newsletter Pointer"></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><div><div><h3>About Jibin Joseph<o:p></o:p></h3><h4>Contributor<o:p></o:p></h4></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:~WRD0001.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Jibin Joseph"></span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><div><div><div><p>Jibin is a tech news writer based out of Ahmedabad, India. Previously, he served as the editor of iGeeksBlog and is a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex information for a broader audience.<o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/authors/jibin-joseph">Read Jibin's full bio </a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><h4>Read the latest from Jibin Joseph<o:p></o:p></h4></div></div></div><p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/uber-makes-it-easier-for-users-with-service-animals-to-get-a-ride">https://www.pcmag.com/news/uber-makes-it-easier-for-users-with-service-animals-to-get-a-ride</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Goldfield,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you need help using your assistive technology learn about my training services by visiting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.screenreadertraining.com/">WWW.ScreenReaderTraining.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Am Yisrael Chai<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Nation of Israel Lives!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification/">JAWS Certified, 2022</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://certification.nvaccess.org/">NVDA Certified Expert</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscribe to the Tech-VI announcement list to receive news, events and information regarding the blindness assistive technology field.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:tech-vi+subscribe@groups.io">tech-vi+subscribe@groups.io</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.davidgoldfield.com/">www.DavidGoldfield.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>_._,_._,_<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></div><p class=MsoNormal>Groups.io Links:<o:p></o:p></p><p>You receive all messages sent to this group. <o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/8585" target="_blank">View/Reply Online (#8585)</a> | <a href="mailto:tech-vi@groups.io?subject=Re:%20%5BTech-VI%5D%20Uber%20Makes%20It%20Easier%20for%20Users%20With%20Service%20Animals%20to%20Get%20a%20Ride" target="_blank">Reply to Group</a> | <a href="mailto:david.goldfield@outlook.com?subject=Private:%20Re:%20%5BTech-VI%5D%20Uber%20Makes%20It%20Easier%20for%20Users%20With%20Service%20Animals%20to%20Get%20a%20Ride" target="_blank">Reply to Sender</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/mt/111003023/17455" target="_blank">Mute This Topic</a> <br><a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/editsub/17455">Your Subscription</a> | <a href="mailto:tech-vi+owner@groups.io">Contact Group Owner</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/leave/8954496/17455/1106850279/xyzzy">Unsubscribe</a> [terrypowers59@gmail.com]<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>_._,_._,_<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>