[NAGDU] Hello, and Uber Letdown

Thu Mar 9 19:20:49 UTC 2017

Of course there would be less ability to prove discrimination if you let the
drivers know you are bringing a dog. You can't file a discrimination claim
as easily if you have volunteered that you have a dog. The driver can assume
you are telling him so he can make a choice. I understand what you are
saying about letting them know up front that you have a dog, but it is truly
harmful in the big picture. We need to resolve this issue, and, sadly, that
isn't the way to do it. You have a right to bring the dog. The drivers are
required to take the dog ... end of story. If they are being trained as Uber
claims, they know this and they have taken the job anyway. We all do have
moments when we take the high, more efficient road, but when we do that, I
wonder if we are really thinking of the brothers and sisters who follow us?
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe Orozco via
NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2017 1:15 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Joe Orozco <jsoro620 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Hello, and Uber Letdown

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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