[nagdu] Trying to understand: denial of access bad allergies

[S L Johnson]

Mary Ann:

You do not have to come in direct contact with a dog to have an allergic 
reaction.  When my nephew was younger, he would react if he was in the same 
room as my dog.  My parents and sister would have to change their clothes 
before they were around my nephew if they had been around my dog.  No matter 
how well we groom our dogs, dog hair and dander are left behind.  Since the 
Uber driver's use their own personal cars, this could be a significant 
problem for someone who has or with a family member who has allergies to 
dogs.  Every person with allergies is different in their reactions and the 
severity of those reactions.  I have asthma and allergies to lots of things 
including dogs.  I have found that although my meds allow me to be around my 
dog, I have trouble if I am around more than one dog.  This has caused me to 
decline offers of roommates at conventions.  Am I a horrible person because 
my allergies don't permit me to room with another guide dog?  No, obviously 
not.  My point is, although we have our rights according to the ADA, let's 
also have understanding for someone with a significant medical condition. 
Maybe you would understand better if you really understood what can happen 
with a severe asthma or allergy attack.  They can be very frightening and if 
they're bad enough, it can be life threatening.  I do agree that anyone 
applying to drive either Uber or a cab should be made aware that they will 
be asked to transport people with service dogs.  I bet it isn't even a 
question on their applications, interviews or driver training.

Sandra


-----Original Message----- 
From: Marianne Denning via nagdu
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 3:41 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Marianne Denning
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Trying to understand: denial of access bad allergies

Aleeha, in general, a person must come into direct contact with the
dog in order to have an allergic reaction.  There could be extremely
rare situations where this may not be true, but in those situations
the person should not be a driver.  I have a friend who's son has an
extreme latex allergy so they are extremely careful about any
proximity to latex.  Again, that is extremely rare.  I have a negative
reaction to cigarette smoke.  I worked in a position for many years
where I went to people's homes to provide services and, at times,
someone in the home smoked while I was there.  I did not ask people to
stop smoking because that is their home. We all need to be sensative
to each other.

On 8/25/15, Aleeha Dudley via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello all,
> Can you guys weigh in on this? I have been severely criticized and called
> selfish for my opinion on this matter. This especially has to do with 
> denial
> of access to uber vehicles, but could also have implications elsewhere.
> Let's start with a hypothetical situation. I request a ride with the uber
> app. As I do not think it is necessary, I do not inform the driver that I 
> am
> accompanied by my dog. The driver shows up and says that they cannot take 
> my
> dog because they or someone in their family has a severe allergy to dog
> dander, to the point that their throat closes up.
> In my opinion, this person shouldn't be driving anyway because anyone 
> could
> be carrying pet dander on their clothing. My dog poses just as much a risk
> as the next person if my dog is well groomed. I believe that everyone 
> should
> follow the law. Now, I'm told that this view makes me close minded and
> selfish. I have a similar view on fear of dogs. I'm told that we are all
> being close minded and spewing rhetoric when we talk about the uber 
> lawsuit,
> but that is a topic for another post. What do you all think?
> Aleeha
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053

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