[NAGDU] Uber access and regular taxi access

Buddy Brannan buddy at brannan.name
Thu Aug 11 15:10:58 UTC 2016 

Dan,

you're right on all counts. As I said, I'm not justifying the denials, or even saying that we shouldn't address it because taxis are worse. No...not saying "Taxis are worse, so be happy". I believe that we're right to get ahead of the curve on this. The settlement, when it goes into effect, will go a long way to doing that. I really can't think of any aspect that the settlement overlooks. Moreover, hopefully other ride share companies, and maybe even taxi companies, will see the settlement and, seeing it sets a precedent, will implement similar remedies so as not to be the next to get smacked. One can hope, anyway. For all the crying the taxi companies are doing about how Uber, Lyft, and their like are taking business away from them and circumventing taxi regulations and all the rest, I somehow can't work up any sympathy for them. 

Certainly Uber isn't blameless. I have to admire their spin job for how they use the built-in accessibility features of iPhones and Android and call them their innovation. They do get points for actually using what's there, because not everyone does. And, regardless of why they're starting to put out there that they expect drivers to follow the law and allthe rest, I'm happy they're doing it, even if they were sort of kicking and screaming the whole way to doing it. 

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name




> On Aug 11, 2016, at 10:45 AM, Dan Weiner via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> You are totally right, Buddy, totally.
> So then how do we account for this furor about Uber.
> I will try: 1. a lot of blind folks are in to Iphones and technology and
> want to use uber and just a lot of people have gotten in to it it's
> available to all and seems like a great solution and is a lot cheaper, you
> do it any time anywhere--lol
> .  
> 2. blind people have just gotten worn down by taxi denial and try to avoid
> the problem as much as possible plus the present penalties if ever applied
> are a joke.
> 3. some blind people are namby-pamby and almost seem to feel ashamed or
> embarrassed at having problems with cabs or will make excuses, I've seen it
> before and heard it in person and on lists "well, we need to be sensitive to
> peoples' religion, fear of dogs, dislike of dogs, and so on and so on and so
> on and so on and so on"  or "I always tell them I have a dog so I ams o
> smart because I can avoid problems you should all do the same"--lol Now I'll
> admit I have told cab companies I have a guide dog to try to avoid idiots,
> as if  it works, sometimes I have had access issues anyway...
> One guide dog user in Maryland told me he tells them to put on record he's
> blind with the dog and not to send cab 21 because cab 21's driver won't take
> dogs, so that problem is never resolved.
> .
> 4. a lot of people got used to falling back on Para transit instead of
> making a big stink about t cab denial which they should have done.
> 
> 5, am I up to five?  Uber doesn't let you tell in advance if you have a
> guide dog--smile you just get whomever...
> 
> All of this and more I'm sure.
> 
> What do you think, and I don't want to be part of the problem, I'm glad to
> help in any way resolve these issues, I had a  lot of cab denials and none
> of them were ever resolved in a way which would make me satisfied that there
> is a real commitment to cab access on the part of these companies. 
> 
> So I'm not just trying to gripe I really would be glad to make a
> contribution to help resolve this but so often I've felt like the lone
> ranger
> 
> When I was in Maryland cab access was a very serious issue for me. The only
> way to avoid it was getting drivers I knew weren't butt holes. So if it was
> Bill, or Bandy or Ahmad I was glad and then if it was someone else I would
> have to take my chances--lol.  Or cabs would just see you and drive away and
> so on...
> 
> 
> Anyway, I'm just saying it's a problem and I think it needs to be dealt
> with, not just Uber but any type of transportation.
> 
> Also I've been avoiding cabs most of the time because I don't want to spend
> the money, but now with Uber available I am rethinking this and thinking I
> would want to use it a lot so it's in my best interest to help in any way
> possible.
> 
> 
> ...
> Warmest regards,
> Dan
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Buddy Brannan via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2016 10:27 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Buddy Brannan
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Nashville Media Push Story About Former Uber Driver
> 
> While it's true that a lot of people are having trouble with Uber,
> especially as regards service animals, this has been a much worse, and much
> more longstanding problem with the traditional, regulated and licensed taxi
> services, especially in larger cities. And of course going through the
> established channels for reporting/punishing/censuring drivers has done
> relatively little good. I'd go as far as to say that the enforcement of laws
> and regulations, and the penalties involved, are a joke. So far, yes Uber
> and Lyft and other ride services have had these problems. I'd say that these
> problems are far less than those encountered with the traditional regulated
> and licensed taxi services. That doesn't make the denials and refusals
> right, and I'm glad we're getting ahead of the curve to make the problem
> even less of a problem and stopping it before it becomes the problem that
> plagues the traditional licensed taxi services. 
> 
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: 814-860-3194
> Mobile: 814-431-0962
> Email: buddy at brannan.name
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Aug 11, 2016, at 9:46 AM, Dan Weiner via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> 
>> I'm glad about the service too, though a lot of people are having severe
>> problems in terms of access for guide dogs, and it's about time they have
>> their feet put to the fire about it.
>> 
>> Dan the man, Parker the hound
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of dar via NAGDU
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 11:01 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Cc: dar
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Nashville Media Push Story About Former Uber Driver
>> 
>> I have been taking uber with no problems with my dog. 
>> I personally am glad we have the service. 
>> 
>> We went to the count down party. 
>> 
>> Dar
>> Every saint has a past,
>> Every sinner has a future 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Aug 10, 2016, at 3:34 PM, NFBTN Secretary via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Dear friends.
>>> In the past 24 hours, 2 television stations did independant stories on
> the
>> Uber story. A third station did a story on Tuesday regarding the hearing
>> against the former Uber driver. See the three links below:
>>>> 
>> 
> http://fox17.com/news/local/uber-driver-accused-of-refusing-to-give-blind-ma
>> n-guide-dog-a-ride-home
>> 
> <http://fox17.com/news/local/uber-driver-accused-of-refusing-to-give-blind-m
>> an-guide-dog-a-ride-home>
>>> Here is channel 5's story:
>>> 
>> 
> http://www.newschannel5.com/news/blind-man-with-guide-dog-denied-uber-ride-s
>> tands-up-for-rights
>> 
> <http://www.newschannel5.com/news/blind-man-with-guide-dog-denied-uber-ride-
>> stands-up-for-rights>
>>> Here is channel 2's story about the hearing:
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
> http://wkrn.com/2016/08/09/former-uber-driver-facing-legal-battle-after-alle
>> gedly-denying-ride-to-blind-man-and-his-service-dog/
>> 
> <http://wkrn.com/2016/08/09/former-uber-driver-facing-legal-battle-after-all
>> egedly-denying-ride-to-blind-man-and-his-service-dog/>
>>> 
>>> At the judicial building,  14 NFB members from all over the state came to
>> support service animal users, bring awareness to the issue, and wanted to
>> see accountability for drivers who discriminate. When Rolanda Douglas was
>> called, all 14 blind individuals stood up  until Douglas was dismissed.
>> Douglas asked for a continuance . with  a smile on her face, she asked the
>> jdge what exactly are my charges? you  will hear that in the last story
> done
>> by channel 2, who was in the court room with us. We  also had thenew NAGDU
>> brochures  that we shared with the detectives and others present. It was a
>> strengthening and educating moment. 
>>> Best,
>>> 
>>> James Alan Boehm
>>> Contact Information:
>>> Phone: 901-483-1515
>>> Personal Email: jimmydagerman80 at gmail.com
>> <mailto:jimmydagerman80 at gmail.com>
>>> NFB Email: secretary at nfb-tn.org <mailto:secretary at nfb-tn.org>
>>> Kustom Cane: kustomcane at gmail.com <mailto:kustomcane at gmail.com>
>>> 
>>> Blindness never limits-low expectations do! Live the life you want!
>>> James Alan Boehm
>>> Contact Information:
>>> Phone: 901-483-1515
>>> Personal Email: jimmydagerman80 at gmail.com
>>> NFB Email: secretary at nfb-tn.org
>>> Kustom Cane: kustomcane at gmail.com
>>> 
>>> Blindness never limits-low expectations do! Live the life you want!
>>> 
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>> 
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