[NAGDU] Hello, and Uber Letdown

[Joe Orozco]

Has anyone ever used the Contact feature to alert the Uber or Lyft
driver to the presence of a guide dog? I know, I know, we shouldn't
have to do this, but in terms of efficiency, I would rather we get the
potential discrimination out of the way up front so I can go about my
business and file my complaint. I understand it becomes harder to
prove discrimination if you handle it this way, but I have never had a
driver cancel on me thus far. I would imagine they would if the dog
was a problem? I don't know. I'm curious about people's thoughts
though.--Joe

On 3/9/17, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> There has been a class action settlement gainst Uber on these issues in
> California, and it hold nationally. The National Federation of the Blind
> has
> lawyers, but I can't remember how to reach them. One is Tim Elder, and I
> can't remember the name of the other. We will get you the information so
> that you can contact them.
>
> Cindy Lou Ray
> cindyray at gmail.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ed Rizzuto via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2017 12:56 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Ed Rizzuto <edrizzutolaw at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NAGDU] Hello, and Uber Letdown
>
> Hi folks,
>
>
>
> I'm new to this list, and a new guide dog user.  I returned home from
> training two weeks ago with my German Shepherd and it's going well, for the
> most part. I live in Durham, North Carolina.
>
>
>
> I'm pretty sure the following situation is not a first. I'd appreciate any
> help in how to proceed.
>
>
>
> I use Uber on an almost daily basis.  Last Thursday, I requested a ride to
> my daughter's school, I confirmed the ride, it was picked up by a driver, I
> waited 17 minutes, the driver arrived and pulled into my driveway.  I
> approached the car with my dog in harness.  The driver stated through the
> passenger side window: "I'm not taking the dog."  I explainted that I am
> blind and that the dog is my guide dog. I explained the law and  explained
> Uber's policy. The driver just kept repeating, "I don't care, the dog can't
> ride in my car."  He locked the rear passenger door. He backed out of my
> driveway and drove off.
>
>
>
> I filled out the'service dog issue' report template on the Uber app and a
> support rep called me several days later.  The rep advised that Uber takes
> these matters seriously, that the driver would be re-notified of his
> obligations and that the driver would have to re-affirm his understanding
> of
> the law and Uber's policy, and that he must allow service dogs to ride.
> The
> support rep advised that the driver may face permanent termination from the
> Uber program if he committed another violation.
>
>
>
> In my view, Uber's response and policy amounts to an
> 'at-least-one-free-pass' anti discrimination policy with no consequences to
> the driver and no compensation for the aggrieved guide dog user.  Uber's
> software does not even allow me an opportunity to rate this driver as I was
> not charged.  The driver will undoubtedly never pick up a ride request from
> me or from my home address again.  He simply gets away with this and the
> Uber pool of drivers available to me is down by 1.
>
>
>
> My question to the group members is.. To the extent you've experienced
> similar discrimination, have you had any more of a positive outcome?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ed
>
>
>
>
>
> Edward Rizzuto
>
> (530) 570-7000
>
> edrizzutolaw at gmail.com
>
>
>
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