[nfbmi-talk] Fw: doj weighs in on nfb uber suit

[David Robinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: Larry Posont NFBMI Pres. 
Cc: terry Eagle ; Mark Eagle ; mary wurtzel ; Terri Wilcox NFB Sec ; David Robinson NFB MI ; Derek Moore ; Larry D Keeler ; J.J. Meddaugh NFB MI 
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 9:09 AM
Subject: doj weighs in on nfb uber suit


It is interesting how federationists  actually fight for the rights of blind persons in San Francisco under the ADA. Yet, we seem to here in Michigan for the most part ignore rights of the blind including the right to access information in our most effective format and in a timely manner from state agencies; the right to have raised character and Braille signage on every permanent room and the right not to be discriminated against in hiring practices by the likes of BSBP.
I thought we were a civil rights organization and the ADA and Section 504 are civil rights laws.

Joe
Obama administration takes sides in disability suit against Uber

 

By Bob Egelko

 

Updated 2:43 pm, Tuesday, December 23, 2014

 

The Obama administration weighed in Tuesday on the side of advocates for the blind in a San Francisco federal court suit accusing ride-on-demand company

Uber of discriminating against passengers with guide dogs.

 

In its court filing, the

Justice Department

did not endorse the specific allegations of discrimination but said companies like Uber are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires

equal treatment and reasonable accommodations for disabled customers.

 

Uber has denied discriminating but has also argued that it is not a public-service provider — a “public accommodation” — covered by the disability law.

 

“The ADA applies to private entities that are primarily engaged in providing transportation services,” even if a company is not a public accommodation,

said the filing by Justice Department lawyers and U.S. Attorney

Melinda Haag

’s office.

 

Uber also argued that it does not directly provide transportation services but merely signs contracts with independent drivers. The Justice Department countered

that a transportation company “may not contract away its ADA responsibilities” and is covered by the law if it operates a “demand-responsive system.”

 

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Source:

 

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Obama-administration-takes-sides-in-disability-5976148.php