[NFB_of_Georgia] [Nfb-announce] UBER DRIVER FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES

[Beverly]

>
> NEWS RELEASE
> FOR IMMEDIATE USE
> FROM: Tennessee Association of Guide Dog Users
> DATE: July 18, 2016
> TO: All Media
> RE: Criminal Case Against Uber Driver
> CONTACT:
> James Boehm
> 901-483-1515
> secretary at nfb-tn.org
>
> UBER DRIVER FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES
>
> On April 28, 2016, James Boehm and his guide dog Shep were left stranded 
> at an animal hospital in Murfreesboro, TN. An Uber driver defiantly 
> squealed away, refusing to transport the guide dog team home.
>
> "I was distraught and infuriated all at once!" stated Mr. Boehm, who filed 
> a police report with the Rutherford County sheriff's department. After an 
> investigation, the state Attorney filed charges against Rolonda Douglas. 
> The hearing is scheduled for August 9th, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. at the 
> Rutherford County Judicial Building located at 20 North Public Square.
>
> "This case is so important because it sets a precedent for all Uber, Lyft, 
> or other taxi drivers," says James Boehm.  "If they discriminate against a 
> service animal user, the violators will be prosecuted."
>
> Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee and their 
> guide dogs, along with other service dog users from around the state plan 
> to attend the hearing to support the cause. "Such incidents occur far too 
> often and we want to present a strong,united front in support of this 
> case," says james Brown, president of the NFB of Tennessee. "We want to 
> make a statement that such discrimination is not acceptable.
>
> Not only does the Americans with Disabilities Act make it clear that 
> disabled individuals have the right to be accompanied by a service dog, 
> Tennessee statute 62.7.112 strengthens the ADA by providing criminal 
> penalties for such discrimination. As a Class C misdemeanor, violating the 
> civil rights of a disabled person accompanied by a service dog is 
> punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $50. (The 
> entire text of the Tennessee statute accompanies this release.)
> # # #
>
>
> About the National Federation of the Blind
>
>           The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest 
> organization of the blind in the United States. The NFB 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 are 
> the obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life 
> you want! Blindness is not what holds you back. The Federation provides 
> scholarships to blind students; support for those who are blind or losing 
> their eyesight; advocacy for the blind facing discrimination; and 
> educational programs for the general public on topics of blindness. The 
> NFB is not an organization that speaks on behalf of the blind; we are the 
> blind speaking for ourselves.
>
> About NAGDU
>           The Tennessee Association of Guide Dog Users (TAGDU) is a strong 
> and proud division of the National Association of Guide Dog Users. The 
> National Association of Guide dog Users is the nation's leading membership 
> organization for blind people who use guide dogs.  NAGDU is a strong and 
> proud division of the National Federation of the Blind. NAGDU conducts 
> public awareness campaigns on issues of guide dog use, provides advocacy 
> support for guide dog handlers who face discrimination, supports sound 
> policy and effective legislation to protect the rights of guide dog users, 
> offers educational programs to school and civic organizations, and 
> functions as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind. For 
> more information about the National Association of Guide Dog Users and to 
> support their work, you can visit their website at
>
> <http://www.nagdu.org/>HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG
>
> Or send an email message to
>
> <mailto:Info at NAGDU.ORG>Info at NAGDU.ORG
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