[NAGDU] [txagdu] FYI FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] Lyft, National Federation of the Blind Announce Accessibility Improvements for Riders Who Travel with Service Animals

Tue Apr 4 21:22:22 UTC 2017

Glad to hear that. I ended up reaching out to him as well since I did
have an incident last week.

Mike

On 4/4/17, Michael Hingson <mike at michaelhingson.com> wrote:
> Mike and all,
>
> I have contacted Tim Elder, one of our legal team and negotiators with Lift,
> on this topic. Here is his response:
>
> " The terms of the Uber and Lyft settlements apply to all drivers on the
> platform regardless of they are driving in the Line/Pool mode.  Individuals
> who are being denied because of facts specific to the Line/Pool products
> should report them to our legal team.  If the reports suggest that this is a
> systemic problem, then the legal team can go back to the negotiating table
> with the companies to consider additional changes to target the specific
> problems on Line/Pool that aren't already covered by the agreements.  This
> issue is on our radar and we are actively monitoring it to see if it is a
> problem that will be resolved by the overall terms of the respective
> settlement agreements.  But we need people to report problems so we know
> what is going on out there in the field.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Timothy Elder
> Attorney
> TRE Legal Practice
> 4226 Castanos Street
> Fremont, CA 94536
> Phone: (410) 415-3493
> Fax: (888) 718-0617
> E-mail: telder at trelegal.com
> www.trelegal.com"
>
> I have included Tim's contact information in this email so anyone can
> contact him directly should they have a problem. Personally, I believe Lyft
> is on board with requiring drivers providing ANY Lyft service to abide by
> the terms of the agreement. I participated yesterday in Lyft's unveiling of
> the new agreement. Lyft personnel were quite enthusiastic and want to do the
> right thing I believe.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
>
> Michael Hingson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Forzano
> via NAGDU
> Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2017 11:00 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Michael Forzano <michaeldforzano at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [txagdu] FYI FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] Lyft, National
> Federation of the Blind Announce Accessibility Improvements for Riders Who
> Travel with Service Animals
>
> They are, but since the ride is shared with other passengers, I think a
> specific clarification on the policy is needed. Both Uber and Lyft have made
> the excuse that there isn't enough room for the dog, and that the other
> passengers might not like dogs etc. Obviously, this is like saying it's okay
> to deny me access to a restaurant because the other customers might not like
> dogs. As for Uber, last I heard their policy was that I should pay for an
> extra seat in the UberPool and then request a refund.
>
> As I said this just happened to me last week, so some clarification on what
> the policies are around the shared ride options would be great.
>
> Mike
>
> On 4/4/17, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> They are a part of Lift, yes? If they are, they are included.
>> Cindy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
>> Forzano via NAGDU
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 12:38 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Michael Forzano <michaeldforzano at gmail.com>; Elizabeth Campbell
>> <batescampbell at gmail.com>; txagdu at nfbtx.org
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [txagdu] FYI FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] Lyft,
>> National Federation of the Blind Announce Accessibility Improvements
>> for Riders Who Travel with Service Animals
>>
>> This is great! Does anyone know if Lyft Line is included in this
>> settlement?
>> I don't recall seeing a mention of the ride share options (UberPool
>> and Lyft
>> Line) in either settlement. Just last week, I was almost denied by a
>> Lyft driver who claimed there would be no room for my dog because
>> there was another passenger in the car. The driver claimed that Lyft's
>> policy was that service dogs don't have to be transported in a Lyft
>> Line. Even with 2 passengers, I've sat up front with my dog on the
>> floor by my feet and there were no issues. I've never had any passenger
>> complain either.
>>
>> Hoping someone involved in the settlements can comment, as this would
>> be a major loophole. Line and Pool can sometimes be half the price of
>> getting your own car.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> On 4/3/17, Elizabeth Campbell via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Thanks Stacie and Mike for sharing this great news with the TXAGDU list!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Michael Hingson [mailto:mike at michaelhingson.com]
>>> Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 6:27 PM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; txagdu at nfbtx.org
>>> Subject: [txagdu] FYI FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] Lyft, National
>>> Federation of the Blind Announce Accessibility Improvements for
>>> Riders Who Travel with Service Animals
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From: NFBNet-Members-List
>>> [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of National
>>> Federation of the Blind via NFBNet-Members-List
>>> Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 2:51 PM
>>> To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
>>> <mailto:nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
>>> Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Lyft, National Federation of the Blind
>>> Announce Accessibility Improvements for Riders Who Travel with
>>> Service Animals
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>>
>>>
>>> CONTACT:
>>> Chris Danielsen
>>> Director of Public Relations
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>>> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>>> cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>
>>>
>>> Scott Coriell
>>> Lyft
>>> (802) 353-1449
>>> scoriell at lyft.com <mailto:scoriell at lyft.com>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind Announce Comprehensive
>>> Accessibility Improvements for Lyft Riders Who Travel with Service
>>> Animals
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind today announced a
>>> collaborative effort to ensure reliable and equal service to
>>> individuals who are blind and use service animals. Lyft’s affirmative
>>> and proactive efforts will help ensure its convenient and affordable
>>> transportation services are available to riders who are blind and use
>>> service animals across the United States.
>>>
>>> As part of that effort, Lyft today kicked off the company’s first
>>> Service Animal Month, which is part of a multi-pronged initiative to
>>> ensure that all individuals with disabilities who travel with service
>>> animals on the Lyft platform can fully enjoy the benefits of
>>> connecting with drivers through the Lyft app.
>>>
>>> Lyft has also announced a new policy which clarifies that every Lyft
>>> rider who has a service animal must be accommodated, regardless of a
>>> driver’s preferences or circumstances. Lyft drivers who don't comply
>>> with the new policy may face immediate and permanent deactivation
>>> from the platform.
>>> Lyft is also committing to a number of driver education initiatives
>>> that are aimed squarely at raising awareness of the new service
>>> animal policy amongst its driver community.  Drivers will be educated
>>> about the new service animal policy through videos, announcements,
>>> and other outreach, that will begin as soon as a driver is approved
>>> to perform rides, and will continue throughout the driver’s business
>>> relationship with Lyft. Lyft is also working to improve customer
>>> service for blind riders.
>>>
>>> Lucy Greco, Accessibility Evangelist for UC Berkeley said “I am so
>>> pleased that Lyft was willing to work with us to improve access for
>>> riders with service animals.  I look forward to using Lyft once the
>>> changes are in place.”
>>>
>>> Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
>>> said:
>>> "Companies like Lyft are empowering blind people to live the lives we
>>> want by providing fast, convenient and affordable transportation.
>>> This empowerment can only be real and complete, however, if all blind
>>> people, including those who use guide dogs, are able to access the
>>> service when and where they need it, without fear that they will be
>>> refused service. My wife Melissa uses a guide dog, and consequently
>>> our family has occasionally experienced the refusal of transportation
>>> services, which violates the legal and civil rights of the blind and
>>> people with disabilities. The National Federation of the Blind
>>> applauds Lyft's commitment to improve its service to guide dog users,
>>> and we look forward to working with Lyft to ensure that its efforts
>>> to do so are meaningful and effective."
>>>
>>> Laura Copeland, Lyft’s Head of Community said, “Lyft is excited to
>>> partner with the NFB to confirm its commitment that everyone who
>>> requests a ride through the Lyft app is provided with equal service,
>>> regardless of whether the rider is accompanied by a service animal.
>>> At Lyft, we are committed to creating a community where everyone
>>> feels welcome, comfortable, and respected.  Drivers should always say
>>> yes when it comes to transporting riders with service animals.”
>>>
>>> Lyft is implementing these changes pursuant to an agreement with the
>>> National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and Lucy Greco and Lynda
>>> Johnson, who both travel with guide dogs. NFB, Ms. Greco, and Ms.
>>> Johnson were represented by Michael Bien, Gay C. Grunfeld and Michael
>>> Nunez of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP, Mary-Lee K. Smith and
>>> Julia Marks of Disability Rights Advocates, and Timothy Elder of the
>>> TRE Legal Practice, in the negotiations that led to these changes.
>>>
>>> ###
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> About the National Federation of the Blind
>>>
>>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
>>> the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create
>>> obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life
>>> you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
>>>
>>> About Lyft
>>>
>>> Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to
>>> improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation. Lyft is
>>> the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S and is available in
>>> more than 300 cities. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for
>>> its safe and friendly experience, and its commitment to effecting
>>> positive change for the future of our cities.
>>>
>>> About the TRE Legal Practice
>>>
>>> TRE Legal is a law firm focusing on the rights of blind people,
>>> including the right to independently access technology-based services.
>>> For more information, visit www.trelegal.com
>>> <https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7928&qid=
>>> 1
>>> 755722>
>>> .
>>>
>>> About Disability Rights Advocates
>>>
>>> DRA is the leading nonprofit disability rights legal center advancing
>>> equal rights and opportunities for people with all types of
>>> disabilities nationwide. For more information, visit www.dralegal.org
>>> <https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7929&qid=
>>> 1
>>> 755722> , or contact Julia Marks, jmarks at dralegal.org
>>> <mailto:jmarks at dralegal.org> .
>>>
>>> About Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP
>>>
>>> Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP is a law firm that has extensive
>>> experience representing people with disabilities in litigation
>>> against public and private entities. For more information, visit
>>> http://rbgg.com/
>>> <https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7930&qid=
>>> 1
>>> 755722> , or contact Michael Nunez, mnunez at rbgg.com
>>> <mailto:mnunez at rbgg.com> .
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>> 200 East Wells Street
>>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>>> United States
>>> (410) 659-9314
>>> <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=6388&qid=175
>>> 5
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>>>
>>>
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>>>
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