[NAGDU] Self-ID question

[Melissa Allman]

Hey Tracy. I had this same question and followed up about it so here's how I understand it. If you send a text to eh driver right after the ride is accepted, for instance, saying that you're blind and riding with a guide dog and to please speak your name or whatever, and the driver cancels at that stage, it doesn't trigger the streamlined complaint process features associated with the self ID because it's too early for the driver to see the tag. When the driver arrives to pick you up, that's when they would see the tag "rider has a service animal." If they cancel then, it triggers the rider-side features that would make it easy for you to report the cancelation If the driver responds to your text. By canceling before the tag comes up, you would have to go in and file a complaint as you normally do because those things don't get triggered. Here's what I think I might try doing:

Sending a text after the driver accepts the ride simply saying I'm blind and to please speak my name when they arrive so I know it's them. Then, I'll let them wait to find out about the dog when the tag comes up upon arrival. This way if they do cancel, the process will be streamlined and I won't have to go digging around the app to file but presumably they'll also know I'm blind and will be hopefully speaking my name and looking out for me. I'll let you know how that works.

From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2025 10:20 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: carcione at access.net
Subject: [NAGDU] Self-ID question

On the recording of the recent town hall, Brianna seemed to say that, if I send a message to the driver, the automatic message saying I have a service dog will not be shown.  Is that right, or did I misunderstand?
When I'm away from home, I often send a message saying where I am and that I'm blind, so the driver has to call out to me.  For instance, I might say "The entrance is in the back".  I wouldn't want that message to take out the guide dog ID message.

On another topic, I think NAGDU should ask Dave Andrews to send the message about the recording and how to sign up for self-ID to all the NFB lists.  I'm sure there are plenty of guide dog users who are not on a NAGDU list.
Tracy

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