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

[Aleeha Dudley]

The ADA states that allergies and fear of dogs are generally not reasons to deny access to someone with a service animal. 
Aleeha 
> On Jul 25, 2015, at 3:23 PM, Cindy Ray via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I wonder if there is any way to let this guy know that there is already a
> complaint going on concerning Uber's drivers' refusal to take passengers.
> The one thing I don't get is that they are required to take customers with
> service dogs regardless I thought. I could see the allergy exemption before
> the religious objection.
> Cindy Lou Ray
> cindyray at gmail.com
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch via
> nagdu
> Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2015 1:55 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Ginger Kutsch
> Subject: [nagdu] Uber denies ride to blind man's service dog
> 
> 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.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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