[nagdu] Cab drivers in DC pass blind people with guide dogs

[d m gina]

My question to you is, why are you a guide dog user if you are 
concerned about persons health problems on behalf of the health?
We have never siad we are not concerned, where when the cabs are out 
there for me to use, then I trust the driver knows what is out there.
Folks who need to travel with dogs.
This is a matter for the company not for me to worry about.
I call a cab to get to my next place I either choose to go or need to 
get there.

Original message:
> I have to politely disagree.  A person with a severe allergy to dogs
> has a smuch right to be a taxi driver as a blind person has the right
> to be an engineer or plumber.

> And if the allergy is a disability, then it is not a possibility of
> not having a job based on that allergy. That would be discrimination
> under the ADA and a possible lawsuit.

> See, what I think I see is that people want their accommodations met,
> and don't give a rat's butt if it interferes with the needs of someone
> else. If a person can handle a dog nearby for a few moments, but can't
> handle the dander on the cab's upholstery for the hours that it will
> remain after, why shouldn't they be allowed to refuse based on special
> accommodation and provide alternative transportation.

> personally, my feeling is that if it is such a major concern, call the
> company beforehand and request a driver that isn't allergic. Why hail
> a cab off the streets in this day of cell phones? Just call the
> company and ask for a cab, and it'll be there in 5 minutes.

> If the problem is with a particular company, then don't call that
> company, and tell eveyrone you know about the problem you had with
> them. The fewer clients, the less likely that company will be around.

> Me, if I were told I couldn't ride because of a severe allergy, I'd
> say "That's fine, as long as yuo have a second taxi here within 10
> minutes. 10 minutes will not make a difference. If it is going to make
> a difference between getting on time to an interview or work and being
> late, you need to give yourself more time! Ten minutes is not enough
> leave-way.

> I think we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. I am willing
> to "bend over backward" as you call it. I am willing to accommodate
> other people's special needs in return for them accommodating mine.
> How can we say we want our accommdations met, but not meet the
> accommodations of others? Isn't that rather hypocritical?

> On 9/9/10, Dan Weiner <dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net> wrote:
>> Well, my friend:
>> I am going to sound combative, but I am expressing an honestly held opinion,
>> an opinion which is not meant in any way to belittle you as I'm sure you're
>> a nice person and so on.
>> Give me a break, is my opinion.
>> I think that a lot of us are really too much in to bending over backwards to
>> accommodate, in quotes.
>> Malarkey.
>> It is necessary for companies, entities to accommodate the presence of a
>> service animal because of the special status service dogs, etc. have been
>> given in society.  This is the result of long struggle and advocacy.
>> We are not the ones to do the accommodating, jeeze.

>> I will quote both my sister, who has bad dog and cat allergies, and a doctor
>> I spoke to.
>> The instance of dog allergies is quite a bit less than sever cat allergies.
>> The instances of severe medical consequences from dog dander is actually
>> rare.
>> Discomfort someone might have is, and frankly should be, none of my concern.
>> And now the doctor: he told me that if a dog dander allergy were severe,
>> then the person would react to even dander brought in on someone's cloths,
>> packages, shoes, etc.  So, where do we draw the line.

>> I base a lot of my opinions on the experience with my sister, c, who can't
>> have dogs and cats in her house and so on.. She has been a royal burr in my
>> rear since I got a dog, but we've had discussions and she's in total
>> agreement about the guide dog  access issue.

>> What is this, because I have a guide dog I have to spend my whole life
>> bending over backwards to be considerate.
>>  I don't think so. Now, you are saying,  don't you want to be considerate?
>> Yes, but only in the same way I'm considerate to everyone everywhere I go,
>> not a special consideration for dumb ass cab drivers who have a thing or an
>> imagined thing about dogs.  Boy, that felt good, let it all out Dan--lol.

>> My consideration is shown in my brushing my dog, in my keeping him
>> well-behaved, etc.

>> If these guys would just suck it up and do their job then life would be much
>> simpler.

>> A severe allergy, as I think I stated so wordily in another
>> message--smile--if it is a disability would require a record of such and
>> drivers I've talked to don't want that because then it could be a reason for
>> them not to have the job in the first place.

>> I'm not sure either, Jewel, that that's such an original accommodation, in
>> quotes.
>> Plenty of drivers in Maryland told me I'd have to have another cab or they
>> called dispatch.  The point is it doesn't wash.
>> As long as a significant amount of the guide dog using population feels that
>> we're walking on eggs and the mere fact of being allowed treatment with
>> dignity is such a hardship for the public, the longer this will go on.

>> Now, I need my coffee.

>> Remember, the only thing I know about you or anyone else here is what you
>> say on the list, so please don't take it personally.

>> Cordially,

>> Dan W. and the big black bear, I mean dog, Carter

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> --
> ~Jewel
> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com

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