[NAGDU] [txagdu] FYI FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] Lyft, National Federation of the Blind Announce Accessibility Improvements for Riders Who Travel with Service Animals
Michael Hingson
mike at michaelhingson.com
Wed Apr 5 14:32:54 UTC 2017
Nancy,
You should report to the relevant services complaint system. More will be coming out about processes with Lyft. Uber's is already known.
You also should report issues concerning Lyft and Uber to Tim Elder. His email address is telder at trelegal.com.
Best Regards,
Michael Hingson
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nancy VanderBrink via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2017 7:15 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Nancy VanderBrink <vandyvanderbrink at outlook.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
Hey guys, so I have a question I know that was in regards to a specific service by Uber or lift but it kind of got me wondering. They're saying that we should report, is there anything we should do other than report using the app which connects you to a representative from the respective company, or should we report in another method? I guess I was wondering simply for Data collection and resolution of issues.
Thanks
Nancy
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 4, 2017, at 4:06 PM, Michael Hingson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> 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
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