[nagdu] Uber denies ride to blind man's service dog

[Ginger Kutsch]

Uber denies ride to blind man's service dog

NBC News

Published: July 24, 2015, 10:52 pm 

Source:
http://ksn.com/2015/07/24/uber-denies-ride-to-blind-mans-service-dog/

MADISON, Wis. - A Madison, Wisconsin man says he was denied service by an
Uber driver because of his service dog.

 

It was the man's first time trying to use Uber, and he says it couldn't have
been a worse experience.

 

Dave Tolmie and Divit have been a pair for the last five-and-a-half years.
And Divit is far from your average dog.

 

Tolmie was born blind, and he says his service dog, Divit, is a blessing.

 

Thursday, Divit needed his nails trimmed, so Dave ordered an Uber after
first checking it's website to make sure Divit would be welcome.

 

But, that was far from the case when the car rolled up.

 

Dave said, "He said, 'I have a problem with getting the dog in the car.' I
said, 'Oh it's ok, he's used to riding in the car.' He said, 'No I don't
want the dog in the car.'"

 

Dave says he told the driver that Divit was a seeing eye dog, and that under
the Americans with Disabilities Act he's allowed to go with him everywhere
he goes. But, Dave says the driver didn't care.

 

Dave said the driver cancelled his ride and charged a one dollar
cancellation fee.

 

According to a statement from an Uber spokesperson: "Driver partners are
instructed in ADA regulations, and while they are permitted under the law
not to take a service animal for issues like allergies, safety or religious
beliefs, drivers with those concerns are directed to wait with the rider
until another Uber arrives."

 

Dave says he's not so much concerned about getting his dollar back as he is
about making sure no one else has to go through what he did.

Tolmie has filed a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission and the
city of Madison, Wisconsin.

 

He says he's also contemplating getting a private attorney to handle his
case.

 

Tolmie says he's just lucky the trip wasn't an emergency.