[NAGDU] Marilyn and I are famous! An article about our recent uber denials

[Tracy Carcione]

Good article, Matthew!  Sounds like you explained the situation well to
the journalist, and they got it right.
Tracy

> Hi all,
> I know that I hardly post anything on here, but I just wanted to post an
> article that was recently published in the windsor star, which is our
> city’s local newspaper.
>
> Blind man upset Uber drivers won't accept guide dog
>
> Published on: July 10, 2016 | Last Updated: July 10, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
>
> Matthew Dierckens and his Yellow Lab guide dog, Marilyn, are pictured in
> front of his home in East Windsor, Sunday, July 10, 2016. Dax Melmer /
> Windsor Star
> A Windsor man who has no vision is advocating for increased awareness
> after he and his guide dog were rejected service by three different Uber
> drivers over the last year.
>
> “It’s 2016, this shouldn’t be happening,” Matthew Dierckens said
> after being denied service for the second time this month on July 8, “We
> shouldn’t have this problem, it’s discrimination and it’s
> frustrating.
>
> On Saturday morning, Uber Canada apologized to Dierckens and said that the
> denial of service was not OK.
>
> Uber’s online legal guide says that all drivers must adhere to local
> laws governing the transportation of riders with disabilities. The website
> states that reports of refusing to transport a rider with a service animal
> will lead to deactivation of an Uber account.
>
> In order to get around the city, Dierckens relies on his guide dog
> Marilyn. On Friday, just before noon, he and his sister ordered an Uber to
> run some errands and avoid the heat.
>
> When the driver arrived, he asked Dierckens if he was planning on bringing
> his guide dog into the car. Dierckens said yes and asked him if there was
> a problem, the driver mumbled something incoherent and said he would not
> take them, Dierckens said.
>
> His sister was also charged a $5 cancellation fee, which was refunded over
> the weekend. Drivers need more education about how to accommodate service
> animals and disabled passengers, said Dierckens.
>
> Earlier this year, in the United States, the National Federation of the
> Blind settled a lawsuit with Uber.
>
> Uber agreed to take affirmative steps to prevent discrimination against
> blind riders who use guide dogs.
>
> The online transportation company also agreed on making it a requirement
> that existing and new drivers confirm that they understand their legal
> obligations to transport riders with service animals.
>
> The Canadian Federation of the Blind will be pushing for the agreements to
> also be applicable in Canada, said Mary Ellen Gabias, president at the
> federation.
>
> Gabias said that it’s a common issue in Canada that those using service
> animals are denied access to Ubers and cabs because drivers refuse to take
> them.
>
> “It tends to happen when drivers aren’t educated about the law,”
> said Gabias. “Specific education about non-discrimination and finding a
> way to make it stick is really important.
>
> After speaking to a few new Uber drivers, Dierckens said that each told
> him they never received any training regarding service animals and
> disabled passengers.
>
> “The main thing I want is education of the drivers,” he said. “The
> drivers need to understand their legal obligations and how to treat
> service animals.”
>
> “I even wrote to Uber Canada on Twitter and said I’m willing to work
> with you guys, and have a training seminar, about what to do and what not
> to do.”
>
> Dierckens, who ended up taking a bus on Friday with his sister, said that
> generally his experience with Uber has been pleasant but that occurrences
> like these are frustrating and that they need to be tackled.
>
> Uber Canada could not be reached for comment Sunday.
>
> God bless.
> Matthew Dierckens
> Certified Assistive Technology Specialist
> Macintosh, IOS  and Windows Trainer
> JAWS for windows Certified - 2016
> Canadian Phone: 519-962-9140
> U.S. phone: 573-401-1018
> Personal Email: matt.dierckens at me.com
>
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