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<h1><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b></h1><b>CONTACT:</b> <br>
Chris Danielsen<br>
Director of Public Relations<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br><br>
<b>Scott Coriell<br>
</b>Lyft<br>
(802) 353-1449<br>
<a href="mailto:scoriell@lyft.com">scoriell@lyft.com</a><br><br>
<br><br>
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<b>Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind Announce Comprehensive
Accessibility Improvements for Lyft Riders Who Travel with Service
Animals<br><br>
</b></div>
<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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
<i>all </i>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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.”<br><br>
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."<br><br>
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.” <br><br>
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.<br><br>
<br>
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<br><br>
About the National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
</b>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.<br><br>
<b>About Lyft<br><br>
</b>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.<br><br>
<b>About the TRE Legal Practice<br><br>
</b>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
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7928&qid=1755722">
www.trelegal.com</a>.<br><br>
<b>About Disability Rights Advocates<br><br>
</b>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
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7929&qid=1755722">
www.dralegal.org</a>, or contact Julia Marks,
<a href="mailto:jmarks@dralegal.org">jmarks@dralegal.org</a>.<br><br>
<b>About Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP<br><br>
</b>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
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7930&qid=1755722">
http://rbgg.com/</a>, or contact Michael Nunez,
<a href="mailto:mnunez@rbgg.com">mnunez@rbgg.com</a>.<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
200 East Wells Street<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
United States<br>
(410) 659-9314
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