[nagdu] DC cabbies discriminate against service dogs

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Hi all,
I got the following from someone on another list and didn't see it on NAGDU so here it is pasted below.

Lyn and Landon

For Immediate Release
>Ashley White, Equal Rights Center, 202.370.3204

mailto:awhite at equalrightscenter.org>awhite at equalrightscenter.org
>In Public Hearing, Equal Rights Center Calls Upon D.C. Taxicab Commission to Do More to End 
>Discrimination; Reporters Arrested During ERC Member Testimony
ERC reports document 60% rate of discrimination against individuals using service dogs and 36% rate of discrimination against African Americans
>
>WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2011- Today, in a Taxicab Commission (DCTC) public hearing, two
reporters were arrested while attempting to document the testimony of Jim Dickson, member of the Equal Rights Center (ERC) and Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Association of People with Disabilities. Mr. Dickson, ERC Board Member Charlie Crawford, and ERC Intern Courtney Cezair Mayers, all of whom use service dogs, testified about their experiences being refused service or subject to unlawful surcharges by taxicab drivers, which led to an ERC investigation and report about taxicab discrimination against individuals using service dogs. The ERC also provided testimony and submitted public comment regarding taxicab discrimination in the District.
>The ERC has a long history of investigating discrimination by taxicabs in the District. In late 2010, the ERC published a report that uncovered a 60% rate of discrimination against individuals who use service animals when attempting to hail a cab. In a 2003 report, the ERC documented a 36% rate of discrimination against African Americans seeking taxi service. 
>A subsequent study showed that an individual requesting dispatch service from an address in Northwest, D.C., was 14 times more likely to receive service than a caller with an address in Southeast D.C.
>>To read these studies visit, 
><
http://www.equalrightscenter.org/reports>www.equalrightscenter.org/reports
>
>"According to its mission, the D.C. Taxicab 
>Commission strives to provide a system of 
>regulations that are fair and transparent for 
>taxicab drivers as well citizens and visitors to 
>the District. Its refusal to permit 
>transparency of its own public hearing is 
>indicative of a lack of commitment to civil 
>rights generally," said ERC Communications and 
>Outreach Manager, Ashley White. "The 
>Commission's minimal efforts to address the 
>pervasive discrimination by taxicab drivers 
>throughout the District further underscores the 
>need for increased awareness and improved 
>policies throughout the taxicab industry."
>
>The ERC documented the arrest at the event. To 
>view a video visit, 
><
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knNP1fkCkvk>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knNP1fkCkvk 
>
>
>In its public comment on the proposed 
>regulations underlying the hearing, the ERC 
>commended the DCTC for including a provision to 
>address discrimination, but called upon the 
>Commission to take a more active role in 
>redressing discrimination. Specific suggestions 
>by the ERC include: applying all 
>antidiscrimination provisions to independently 
>operated taxicabs; requiring civil rights 
>training for taxicab operators and management; 
>requiring that a statement of non-discrimination 
>be included in the license and certification 
>application and be posted in all taxicabs; and 
>increasing the penalties for non-compliance with 
>the antidiscrimination provisions.
>To download a PDF of the ERC testimony visit, 
><
http://www.equalrightscenter.org/dctaxitestimony>www.equalrightscenter.org/dctaxitestimony 
>
>
>For an accessible Word version visit, 
><
http://www.equalrightscenter.org/dctaxitestimonyaccess>www.equalrightscenter.org/dctaxitestimonyaccess 
>
>
>###
>
>_____________________________________________
>About the Equal Rights Center 
>(<
http://www.equalrightscenter.org>www.equalrightscenter.org)
>Originally formed in 1983, the Equal Rights 
>Center (ERC) is a national non-profit civil 
>rights organization based in Washington, 
>D.C. With members located in 46 states and the 
>District of Columbia, the ERC works nationally 
>to promote equal opportunity in housing, 
>employment, disability rights, immigrant rights, 
>and access to public accommodations and 
>government services for all protected classes 
>under federal, state, and local laws..