[NAGDU] FW: Rideshare Rally at Uber and Lyft-Stop the Discrimination

Thu Sep 5 13:54:09 UTC 2024

Steve,
Thanks for putting out the reminder concerning attending the Stop the
Discrimination rally.
I wish that I could attend, but my job prevents me from taking part in
protests.

However, I want to emphasize to all on this list that the discrimination
continues, and we must do our part whether or not we can take part in the
rally to stop this unacceptable behavior on the part of the ride share
companies and the drivers.
I want to describe what happened to me and my 90-year-old mother while she
was visiting me over the Labor Day weekend.
We walked to a nearby restaurant only to discover that it was closed for
remodeling.
I requested an Uber for a ride to another restaurant, and when the driver
pulled up he said that I was required to contact Uber to notify the driver
that I had a service dog because the ride would cost more due to the
passenger being charged a cleaning fee.
I told him that his information was false and inaccurate and said that I
did not have to disclose that I was traveling with my service dog.
Since we were by ourselves, I didn't feel safe pursuing an argument wiht a
hostile, rude driver so I told him to cancel the ride and that I would
report him to Uber.
He refused to do so and sat in his vehicle which made the situation worse.
I then chose to cancel the ride and had to agree to a $5 cancellation fee
in order to do so.
This fee requirement must be changed if we believe that our safety is at
risk.
I tried calling the safety hotline but couldn't get through and I continued
the cumbersome procedure of reporting the driver's discrimination against
me and my mother in the Uber app while requesting a Lyft ride at the same
time!!
The Lyft driver showed up and was only too happy to take us to our
destination.
In terms of my complaint to Uber, I got the standard response that the
driver's behavior isn't tolerated, and that Uber was opening an
investigation. I got $15 in Uber cash and the cancellation fee refunded,
but the burden should not be on the passengers to rectify the unacceptable
practices that are allowed to continue.
I have to say that I hadn't been denied a ride in quite some time, but I've
noticed that drivers are making inappropriate comments about our dogs such
as I know I have to take your dog, but my passengers will get mad if there
is hair in my car and so forth.
On a related subject, I've seen some posts from people who are hesitant to
either get their first guide dog or apply for their next dog because of
concerns over ride share denials.
Don't let that fear deter you as that is a win for these companies,and we
can't allow that to happen.

Apologies for the long-winded post.

Best to all,and let's stop the discrimination!!!

On Thu, Sep 5, 2024 at 5:28 AM Steve Cook via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Hi All,
>
>
>
> We hope you are able to come to the below event.
>
>
>
> Steve Cook, Board Member
>
> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>
>  <mailto:scook at nagdu.org> scook at nagdu.org
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> Subject: Rideshare Rally at Uber and Lyft-Stop the Discrimination
>
>
>
>
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>
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>
>
>   <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/top-blue-bar.jpg>
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>  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=35354&qid=10220060>
>
>
>
>
> Rideshare Rally in San Francisco
>
>
> Join our demonstration to protest rideshare discrimination against blind
> people using guide dogs and white canes.
>
> October 15, 2024
> San Francisco, California
> Uber and Lyft Headquarters*
> 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time
>
> As reported in the 2024 Presidential Report, "both of the leading
> [rideshare] companies, Lyft and Uber, are failing to meet their obligations
> to ensure that blind individuals are not discriminated against. While we
> continue to hold regular meetings with both companies in good faith to
> improve their policies and practices, there is rarely a day that goes by
> when we do not learn of another ride denied to a blind person.We will take
> all of the courageous steps necessary to stop this second-class treatment."
>
>
> Rideshare Requirements
>
>
> Uber and Lyft are not meeting the following requirements:
>
> *       Drivers must not discriminate; they must pick up blind passengers.
> *       Rideshare companies need a Zero Tolerance Policy for violators.
> *       Rideshare companies must reduce the burden imposed on blind
> passengers to report denials when they happen.
> *       Rideshare companies must deliver better driver education on the
> policy and laws regarding blind passengers, especially guide dog users.
>
> The discrimination must end. Don't deny; let us ride.
>
>
> Submit Interest Form to Attend
>
>
> Please let us know if you are interested in attending this demonstration on
> October 15 by submitting the Rideshare Rally Interest Form. We will be
> sharing more information regarding the logistics, rally route, recommended
> hotel accommodations, and Rideshare Rally details in the coming weeks. By
> completing the form, you are not obligated to attend.
>
>  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=35363&qid=10220060> Rideshare
> Rally
> Interest Form
>
> *Please note: the exact location will be shared in the coming weeks with
> recommended lodging for those traveling to San Francisco.
>
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-- 
Elizabeth Campbell