[NAGDU] Hello, and Uber Letdown

[NAGDU President]

Ed,

	I have forwarded your message to Tim Elder, the NFB's lead attorney
on our litigation with Uber and its settlement agreement. I am certain Mr.
elder will be in touch with you via email.

Fraternally yours,
Marion



Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
National Federation of the Blind
(813) 626-2789
President at NAGDU.ORG


The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people
and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds
you back.


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ed Rizzuto via
NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2017 1:56 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Ed Rizzuto
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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