[nfbmi-talk] Uber Ridesharing now in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Flint

Sat Jul 26 03:55:55 UTC 2014

Here in Ann jArbor our Commission on Disability Issues has made a resolution 
which basically has uninvited them here. They are in competition with 
another service and also haven't been equiped to pick up wheelchairs. As far 
as I know, they aren't supposed to be opperating here at least until they 
are ADA complient.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Wurtzel via nfbmi-talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "'J.J. Meddaugh'" <jj at bestmidi.com>; "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing 
List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2014 11:15 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Uber Ridesharing now in Lansing, Grand 
Rapids,Kalamazoo, Flint


> Hello,
>
> I agree.  However, Uber seems to be ducking the issue by claiming they 
> can't
> enforce these laws because the drivers are not employyees.  I really like
> the service, but I want them to serve everyone.
>
> I did Tweet Mayors Triplett and Bernaro about this.
>
> BREAKING NEWS!!!
>
> I just received a Tweet from Uber Michigan.  They say that any driver
> refusing to transport a service animal will lose access to the platform.
> Sounds very positive.
>
> Warm Regards,
>
> Fred
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of J.J.
> Meddaugh via nfbmi-talk
> Sent: Friday, July 25, 2014 9:51 PM
> To: joe harcz Comcast; NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Uber Ridesharing now in Lansing, Grand Rapids,
> Kalamazoo, Flint
>
> The law is clearly on our side here. Rideshare services are a public 
> service
> so the same accomodations need to be provided. If a driver refuses a
> passenger because of a guide dog, that driver should be reported and we
> should make sure the company follows up and takes care of the situation.
>
> Best regards,
> J.J.
>
> On 7/25/2014 6:47 PM, joe harcz Comcast via nfbmi-talk wrote:
>> The problem is systemic and prevelent William and Fred. It is called
>> discrimination in violation of existing laws, including the Americans
>> with disabilities act. Now I have no problem with these new services
>> per se. and, indeed they may make a differance as many suggest in new
>> opportunities for PWD including the blind. However, as they currently
>> exist they are in an unregulated market and compete with those in the
>> regulated market of which includes, nominally compliance withthe ADA.
>>
>> In brief the basics of the ADA and other civil rights laws says, "Thou
>> shalt not discriminate against people with disabilities solely because
>> of said disabilities." In the guide dog context it is also quite
>> simple. The law, not always followed or enforced, for sure says, "Thou
>> shalt pick up and otherwise not discriminate against a guide dog
>> handler."
>>
>> We all know of cases where this is violated amonst cab companies. We
>> do. But at least they are remedied or can be under state and federal
>> laws like the ADA.
>>
>> The issue with these other systems is that they are untried,
>> unregulated and compete in an untested environment that is unequal and
>> untested.
>>
>> In other words it is the "wild west" so far as civil rights is
>> considerrred.
>>
>> And by the way there is no reason or no regulation that one of these
>> sorts cannot pick up or deny service to a white cane traveler as well
>> as a guide dog user.
>>
>> Our fundamental civil rights and choice of appropriate to our needs
>> mobility devices and other considerations are all at issue here.
>>
>> The synergy between those of us who choose to use the long, or short
>> white cane, for that matter or any devices or means including guide
>> dogse are intertwined. In other words it isn't a matter of either/or
>> but rather, both.
>>
>> And the rights of one being violated ultimately devolve in to
>> violations of the rights of all.
>>
>> So this is a very important issue for anyone and everyone amongst us
>> who consider the rights of those whom are blind.
>>
>> I for one will stand behind any blind cane user whether or not NFB,
>> ACB or any affiliation and his/her right to use this device without
>> prejudice just as much as I'll stand behind the rights of guide gog
>> users for same.
>>
>> Again I personally don't care about the affiliation or lack thereof in
>> these circumstances for it is not a political party sort of thing in
>> my mind anymore than right is right and wrong is wrong when it comes
>> to Democrats and Republicans or visa versa if all catch my drift here.
>>
>> Again as athe great civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and
>> others have said, "An injury to oneamonst us is an injury to all of us."
>>
>> These principles of social and civil justice are in the bones of NFB
>> for sure and go back to our founder Jacobus Tenbroek who said and
>> wrote that, "We have the right to live in the world."
>>
>> And colleagues we have those rights in law and equity if not in fact
>> on a daily basis if we chose, with all informed consent, to get from
>> here to over there, as they all say, using a dog, a flashlight, or a
>> white cane or even hypnosis or some other silly stuff.
>>
>> I'm not digressing here in my fervor, but rather, re-iterating
>> concerns by Fred and William and I affirm they are valid.
>>
>> I chose not to have a dog for a variety of reasons not worthy of this
>> list for now.
>>
>> But I'll fight to the death literally for the right of those to chose
>> their form of mobility and more importantly for the rights of all to
>> exercise their forms of mobility.
>>
>> Imagine if you will for one rambling last second here something:
>>
>> Imaganine that a cab company or uber or lift for that matter passes a
>> knwn person who is sighted and denies him/her service just because
>> he/she is sighted....Imagine that! Imagine...
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "William Vandervest via nfbmi-talk"
>> <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> To: "Fred Wurtzel" <f.wurtzel at att.net>; "NFB of Michigan Internet
>> Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, July 25, 2014 10:08 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Uber Ridesharing now in Lansing, Grand
>> Rapids,Kalamazoo, Flint
>>
>>
>>> that problem has been discussed extencively on some of theguide dog
>>> lists, and i think we do need a resolution on this matter
>>>
>>>
>>> There are none so blind as those who will not see
>>>
>>> William and Leader Dog Lynard
>>>
>>> timelord09 at att.net
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fred Wurtzel via nfbmi-talk"
>>> <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> To: "'J.J. Meddaugh'" <jj at bestmidi.com>; "'NFB of Michigan Internet
>>> Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Friday, July 25, 2014 8:16 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Uber Ridesharing now in Lansing, Grand
>>> Rapids,Kalamazoo, Flint
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi J,
>>>>
>>>> I, also, like the service.  However, I am told by Larry of our
>>>> guidedog division that drivers in Ann Arbor routinely won't allow
>>>> guidedogs in their cars.  Do you have any information about this.
>>>> Is this something we need a resolution about at our state
>>>> convention?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for the update.
>>>>
>>>> Warmest Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Fred
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>> J.J.
>>>> Meddaugh via nfbmi-talk
>>>> Sent: Friday, July 25, 2014 12:40 AM
>>>> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
>>>> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Uber Ridesharing now in Lansing, Grand Rapids,
>>>> Kalamazoo, Flint
>>>>
>>>> I've talked about Uber, the cool and simple ridesharing service
>>>> before, and now it's in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Flint
>>>> in addition to Detroit and Ann Arbor.
>>>> For me, Uber is easier than cabs because you know when your vehicle
>>>> is on route and when it is arriving, payment is handled from the app
>>>> itself, and it's just simpler than taxis. You can get 5 free rides
>>>> for the next two weeks in the new Michigan cities by using the code
>>>> michfree.
>>>> First, use the link below to sign up and get another free ride. THis
>>>> will give me a free ride as well.
>>>>         http://uber.com/invite/6k56q
>>>>
>>>> Then use the michfree code to unlock 5 more free rides for the next
>>>> two weeks.
>>>> I hardly ever use cabs now where Uber is available, and this really
>>>> helps me to be more indpendent in lots of areas. More transportation
>>>> options is always better.
>>>>
>>>> You need an iPhone, Android, or WIndows Phone to use Uber currently.
>>>> I'm happy to help anyone out in getting Uber set up if you need it.
>>>> Just
>>>> send me an Email.
>>>> Enjoy.
>>>> --
>>>> Best regards,
>>>> J.J.
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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