[nfbmi-talk] Fw: what are we doing here?

[David Robinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: David Robinson NFB MI 
Cc: terry Eagle ; Mark Eagle 
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 9:04 AM
Subject: Fw: what are we doing here?



----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: Larry D Keeler 
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: what are we doing here?


It would be good if you put that out on the list serve of which I've been censorred Larry.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Larry D Keeler 
  To: joe harcz Comcast 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 8:48 AM
  Subject: Re: what are we doing here?


  Actually Joe, i am working on the Uber thing with our Commission on Disabilities Issues. We are for that reason and a couple of others trying to ban or at least control there practices in Washtinaw County. 
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: joe harcz Comcast 
    To: Larry Posont NFBMI Pres. 
    Cc: Michael Powell NFB MI ; Mark Eagle ; David Robinson NFB MI ; mary wurtzel ; Larry D Keeler ; J.J. Meddaugh NFB MI ; Derek Moore 
    Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 8:16 AM
    Subject: what are we doing here?


    The president of our Guide Dog Division is working on this issue in Florida, but haven't heard a peep about what we do here, except to censor issues related to the ADA and 504 unilaterally, arbitrarily and capriciously.

    Joe
    Concerns arise over Uber's accessibility for persons with disabilities

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    Caitlin JohnstonCaitlin Johnston, Times Staff Writer

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    Tuesday, January 13, 2015 6:24pm

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    Uber uses a smartphone  app to  connect passengers with nearby drivers. Currently, there is no way for riders in Tampa to request a wheelchair-accessible

    vehicle.

     

    Getty Images

     

    Uber uses a smartphone app to connect passengers with nearby drivers. Currently, there is no way for riders in Tampa to request a wheelchair-accessible

    vehicle.

     

    TAMPA — Ride-share company Uber has operated around Tampa Bay since April, but advocates are concerned that the company has no wheelchair-accessible vehicles

    here and that its representatives seem misinformed on federal regulations.

     

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    A representative from Uber discussed concerns with advocates and community members during a forum Tuesday organized by the Hillsborough County and Tampa

    Mayor's alliances for people with disabilities.

     

    Ana Mahony, Uber's general manager for Tampa, said the ride-share company is piloting programs in several cities in hopes of finding the best method of

    providing services for people with disabilities.

     

    Tampa, however, is not one of those cities. Currently, there is no way for riders in Tampa to request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, Mahony said.

     

    "I would love to be able to do something like that here,'' she said. "Those kinds of situations require partnerships. … Right now we don't have the luxury

    of being able to test something like that."

     

    Uber, which connects passengers with nearby drivers via a smartphone app, has several variations on its typical rideshare model that could improve service

    here for people with disabilities, Mahony said.

     

    UberWAV, which is only available in New York City's outer boroughs, allows users to request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. UberASSIST aims to assist seniors,

    but does not have wheelchair-accessible ramps. UberACCESS, according to its website, does include vehicles with a ramp.

     

    But wheelchairs are only a part of the ongoing discussion about accessibility. Marion Gwizdala, president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users,

    said he was worried when Mahony said that drivers are not required to provide rides for service dogs if the drivers have allergies.

     

    A second Uber representative, spokeswoman Kaitlin Durkosh, confirmed Mahony's statements to a reporter later in an email.

     

    "Driver partners are instructed in (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations and while they are permitted under the law not to take a service animal

    for issues like allergies, safety or religious beliefs, drivers with those concerns are directed to wait with the rider until another Uber arrives," Durkosh

    wrote.

     

    According to ADA regulations, allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals.

     

    "I'm concerned that they don't want to be regulated, and they're not fully aware of what their responsibilities are under ADA," Gwizdala said.

     

    Ben Ritter, co-chair of the Tampa Mayor's Alliance for Persons with Disabilities, said he was glad there was such a strong turnout and thought the conversation

    was productive. However, he doubts whether Uber or other ride-share companies will enact any changes.

     

    "They're not going to do anything until they're forced to," Ritter said. "They're not going to make these changes because they don't have the incentive."

     

    Contact Caitlin Johnston at cjohnston at tampabay.com or (813) 661-2443. Follow @cljohnst.

     

    Concerns arise over Uber's accessibility for persons with disabilities 01/13/15 [Last modified: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 8:43pm]

    Source

    http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/concerns-arise-over-ubers-accessibility-for-persons-with-disabilities/2213526