[NAGDU] New options for personal disclosure with Uber

Fri Oct 11 18:00:09 UTC 2024

Yeah, I think this looks prettier than it actually is. I frequently get drivers who don't understand when I tell them I'm blind. I don't know if it's a language barrier thing or if they just don't expect blind people to be out and about. But this has happened to me often. They usually get it when they see me, but disclosing ahead of time would do very little in those situations. 

Also, something feels wrong about their statement that we "might need extra help." I may need extra time, sure, and they may have to look for me, but I don't want drivers assuming that I need more help than I do, and I don't trust Uber to train them well about this. 

Julie

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Leslie Hamric via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2024 6:31 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Leslie Hamric <lhamric930 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] New options for personal disclosure with Uber

Seriously? And Uber claims that they take the violation seriously? Talk about being big liars! Fo For the driver to laugh at you because you have a guy dog? That is just not OK. Claims that they're educating their drivers? They're obviously not. A few weeks ago, I didn't even have my dog with me and I had a driver deny me because of my cello. The second one almost denied me because she didn't want me to put the cello in independently and in so many words damage her car. She had a Cadillac and there was plenty of room for it. I think that driver just used in the cello is an excuse because he didn't wanna take me because he was blind and didn't wanna say it.
Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher

> On Oct 10, 2024, at 5:10 PM, Jenine Stanley via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I don’t know how many times I’ve written in the notes that I’m blind and have a guide dog. The last denial I had, with Lyft mind you, the driver didn’t even look at the notes and laughed at me when I said that I’d told him I had a guide dog. A friend also noted that ride share companies may take the position that if you don’t disclose, they have no responsibility for denials.
> 
> It’s definitely one of those “glass half full” announcements.
> 
> More from Aira soon.
> 
>> On Oct 10, 2024, at 5:55 PM, Leslie Hamric via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> I'll be there in spirit. I know Ira has some kind of broadcast of it going on with visual description. I wonder if they have seen the blast on social media and if they're now stepping up to the plate because they're afraid of getting bad publicity. Or if they know about the rally and they're trying to save their butts. I'm not amused either. They had plenty of time to do this. And who's to say that if you disclose that you're blind, is that really gonna make things better? How do you know that they won't cancel the ride because you're blind. The Uber website has all kinds of policies and requirements but what good are they if they're not enforced? I hate to say this but I'm not impressed. Not impressed with them at all.
>> Leslie Hamric
>> Cello and Braille Music Teacher
>> 
>>>> On Oct 10, 2024, at 4:44 PM, Deanna Lewis <deannakay03 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Wow, just wow. Very conveniently timed if you ask me! I am not amused.
>>> I am so glad that I will be at the Rideshare Rally next week. This is just so ridiculous!
>>> Deanna
>>> 
>>>> On Oct 10, 2024, at 3:04 PM, Leslie Hamric via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> The proof is in the pudding. I wonder if they're afraid of what's gonna happen at this rally so they decide to allegedly make some changes before the rally even happens.
>>>> Leslie Hamric
>>>> Cello and Braille Music Teacher
>>>> 
>>>>>> On Oct 10, 2024, at 1:17 PM, Jenine Stanley via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Coincidence? I think not.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-will-let-riders-discl
>>>>> ose-whether-theyre-hard-of-hearing-or-have-low-vision-130027692.ht
>>>>> ml?guccounter=1
>>>>> 
>>>>> Uber will let riders disclose whether they're hard of hearing or 
>>>>> have low vision The ride-hailing service will add the new self-identification options this fall.
>>>>> 
>>>>> mariella moon 
>>>>> <https://www.engadget.com/about/editors/mariella-moon/>Thu, Oct 
>>>>> 10, 2024 at 6:00 AM PDT
>>>>>  
>>>>> MOZCO Mateusz Szymanski via Getty Images Starting this fall, Uber 
>>>>> will give its riders new self-identification options if they are deaf or hard-of-hearing and blind or have low vision. The company said that riders with hearing or vision issues often worry about potential misunderstandings that could cause them to miss their ride. If they choose to self-identify on the app, their driver will be notified beforehand and could work with them on their needs, such as making sure they're picked up exactly where they're located instead of having them look for their ride.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Uber is also moving the communication preferences settings to the Accessibility page so that passengers can easily change their preferred contact method. If they indicate that they only want to communicate via in-app chat, for instance, their driver wouldn't be able to call them. The company will start pilot testing another self-identification option for riders with service animals in the US and Canada over the next few weeks, as well. Uber said it will send its drivers a new service animal education video, with tips on how to transport the service animals and a reminder that it's against the company's policy to deny someone a ride because they're traveling with one.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Uber has added features to make its rides more accessible over the years, but it hasn't been smooth sailing for the company. It previously faced lawsuits <https://www.engadget.com/judge-says-uber-doesnt-need-to-provide-wheelchair-accessible-vehicles-101513774.html> for not providing wheelchair-accessible service in every US market even after teaming up <https://www.engadget.com/2018-11-20-uber-enlists-help-improve-wheelchair-accessible-rides.html> with an external company to improve its accessibility for wheelchair users. In 2021, the Department of Justice sued the ride-hailing platform for charging passengers <https://www.engadget.com/justice-department-uber-disability-lawsuit-214724043.html> "wait time" fees because they need more time to enter a car due to their disabilities. And even with its promise to foster inclusion and be more accessible, whether or not a passenger gets a ride may still depend on the driver <https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/exclusive-maryland-woman-says-uber-lyft-drivers-canceled-rides-because-of-wheelchair/>.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lhamric930%40co
>>>>> mcast.net
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/deannakay03%40gm
>>>> ail.com
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> NAGDU mailing list
>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/jeninems%40icloud.
>> com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lhamric930%40comcas
> t.net

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail.com