[NFB-NM] Lyft, National Federation of the Blind Announce Accessibility Improvements for Riders Who Travel with Service Animals

Tue Apr 4 01:32:21 UTC 2017

From: NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of National Federation of the Blind via NFBNet-Members-List
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2017 3:51 PM
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Lyft, National Federation of the Blind
Announce Accessibility Improvements for Riders Who Travel with Service
Animals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: 
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org

Scott Coriell
Lyft
(802) 353-1449
scoriell at lyft.com

Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind Announce Comprehensive
Accessibility Improvements for Lyft Riders Who Travel with Service Animals

Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind today announced a
collaborative effort to ensure reliable and equal service to individuals who
are blind and use service animals. Lyft's affirmative and proactive efforts
will help ensure its convenient and affordable transportation services are
available to riders who are blind and use service animals across the United
States.

As part of that effort, Lyft today kicked off the company's first Service
Animal Month, which is part of a multi-pronged initiative to ensure that all
individuals with disabilities who travel with service animals on the Lyft
platform can fully enjoy the benefits of connecting with drivers through the
Lyft app.

Lyft has also announced a new policy which clarifies that every Lyft rider
who has a service animal must be accommodated, regardless of a driver's
preferences or circumstances. Lyft drivers who don't comply with the new
policy may face immediate and permanent deactivation from the platform.
Lyft is also committing to a number of driver education initiatives that are
aimed squarely at raising awareness of the new service animal policy amongst
its driver community.  Drivers will be educated about the new service animal
policy through videos, announcements, and other outreach, that will begin as
soon as a driver is approved to perform rides, and will continue throughout
the driver's business relationship with Lyft. Lyft is also working to
improve customer service for blind riders.

Lucy Greco, Accessibility Evangelist for UC Berkeley said "I am so pleased
that Lyft was willing to work with us to improve access for riders with
service animals.  I look forward to using Lyft once the changes are in
place."

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"Companies like Lyft are empowering blind people to live the lives we want
by providing fast, convenient and affordable transportation. This
empowerment can only be real and complete, however, if all blind people,
including those who use guide dogs, are able to access the service when and
where they need it, without fear that they will be refused service. My wife
Melissa uses a guide dog, and consequently our family has occasionally
experienced the refusal of transportation services, which violates the legal
and civil rights of the blind and people with disabilities. The National
Federation of the Blind applauds Lyft's commitment to improve its service to
guide dog users, and we look forward to working with Lyft to ensure that its
efforts to do so are meaningful and effective."

Laura Copeland, Lyft's Head of Community said, "Lyft is excited to partner
with the NFB to confirm its commitment that everyone who requests a ride
through the Lyft app is provided with equal service, regardless of whether
the rider is accompanied by a service animal.  At Lyft, we are committed to
creating a community where everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and
respected.  Drivers should always say yes when it comes to transporting
riders with service animals." 

Lyft is implementing these changes pursuant to an agreement with the
National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and Lucy Greco and Lynda Johnson,
who both travel with guide dogs. NFB, Ms. Greco, and Ms. Johnson were
represented by Michael Bien, Gay C. Grunfeld and Michael Nunez of Rosen Bien
Galvan & Grunfeld LLP, Mary-Lee K. Smith and Julia Marks of Disability
Rights Advocates, and Timothy Elder of the TRE Legal Practice, in the
negotiations that led to these changes.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

About Lyft

Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve
people's lives with the world's best transportation. Lyft is the fastest
growing rideshare company in the U.S and is available in more than 300
cities. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and
friendly experience, and its commitment to effecting positive change for the
future of our cities.

About the TRE Legal Practice

TRE Legal is a law firm focusing on the rights of blind people, including
the right to independently access technology-based services.  For more
information, visit www.trelegal.com
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7928&qid=1755722
> .

About Disability Rights Advocates

DRA is the leading nonprofit disability rights legal center advancing equal
rights and opportunities for people with all types of disabilities
nationwide. For more information, visit www.dralegal.org
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7929&qid=1755722
> , or contact Julia Marks, jmarks at dralegal.org.

About Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP

Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP is a law firm that has extensive experience
representing people with disabilities in litigation against public and
private entities. For more information, visit http://rbgg.com/
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7930&qid=1755722
> , or contact Michael Nunez, mnunez at rbgg.com.
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
United States
(410) 659-9314
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