[NAGDU] New options for personal disclosure with Uber

Sun Oct 13 18:30:32 UTC 2024

That's exactly what I thought. Do they think that just because they made these changes that everything's OK? Well they have another thing coming.
Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher

> On Oct 13, 2024, at 12:44 PM, Debbie Malone via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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