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

[Kaye Kipp]

I had that happen to me with a cab, but there was no way to prove it.  It's
really frustrating.

Kaye

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Elise Berkley via
nagdu
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2015 2:16 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Elise Berkley
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Uber denies ride to blind man's service dog

This is crazy.  I had to file a complaint with one of my transportation
services here in Long Beach, Dial-A-Lift.  What was happehning to me  was
Becky and I would be waiting outside the facility of my pickup address.  We
are always early because I do not want any of the drivers to wait for us. 
When my ride would not arrive in the given time, I would call the office and
check on my ride.  They told me the driver was at the address and did not
see us.  That was so not true, and I realized that the driver would see me
with Becky and leave us.  They would call the office and tell them they
could not find us or did not see us.  Becky and I would either end up
waiting for another car or take the bus home.  This has happened to us about
three times.  But, after making the complaint, they have been pretty good
about picking us up.  I hope this does not happen to the gentleman again.
Becky and Elise


-----Original Message-----
From: Ginger Kutsch via nagdu
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2015 11:55 AM
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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