[NAGDU] New options for personal disclosure with Uber

Sun Oct 13 17:42:23 UTC 2024

Very conveniently timed. Who do they think we are? Do they think that’s
gonna put off the rally? I think not. I am so excited and honored to be
attending the rally In person.

*Debbie Malone*

*National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts*

*Affiliate Second Vice President*

*At-Large Chapter President*

*National Federation of the Blind, National Writers Division Vice President*
*InclusionEducation.com <https://inclusioneducation.com/>*
Amazon Author Page <https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R>

On Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 2:01 PM Julie A. Orozco via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> 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/
> >.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
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