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style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'><BR><B>FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE<BR><BR>CONTACT:<BR><BR></B>Chris Danielsen<BR><BR>Director of
Public Relations<BR><BR>National Federation of the Blind<BR><BR>(410) 659-9314,
extension 2330<BR><BR>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<BR><BR><A
href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</A><BR><BR>
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<H1><B>National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing
Program</B></H1>Organization to Monitor Uber, Lyft Efforts to Accommodate
Service Animals<BR><BR></DIV><B>Baltimore, Maryland (May 8, 2017):</B> The
National Federation of the Blind today announced the launch of a program to test
the effectiveness of ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft's efforts to
accommodate passengers with guide dogs and other service animals. The NFB seeks
the participation of blind people and other service animal users, or those who
travel with them, across the United States and in Puerto Rico. Volunteers will
be asked to fill out an online questionnaire to indicate whether or not they
were denied service because of their service animals or if they were treated in
a discriminatory or disrespectful manner. Both positive and negative experiences
should be reported. Pursuant to agreements with the National Federation of the
Blind, both Uber and Lyft are taking steps to prevent discrimination against,
and improve service to, riders with service animals. The agreements require the
National Federation of the Blind to provide feedback to the companies over a
three-to-five-year period. The program is open to both members and non-members
of the National Federation of the Blind. The online questionnaire is available
in both English and Spanish.<BR><BR>Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National
Federation of the Blind, said: "Companies like Uber and 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 these transportation options when and where they need them, 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 other people with disabilities. The National Federation of the Blind
applauds the commitment by Uber and Lyft to improve their service to service
animal users, and we look forward to working with these companies to ensure that
their efforts to do so are meaningful and effective. I urge all service animal
users to use our new online questionnaire often so that we can provide
comprehensive feedback throughout the terms of our agreements with Uber and
Lyft."<BR><BR>For more information about the program and to access the online
questionnaire, please visit <A href="http://www.nfb.org/rideshare"
eudora="autourl">www.nfb.org/rideshare</A>.<BR><BR>
<DIV align=center><B>###<BR><BR></B></DIV>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>For more information about
the National Federation of the Blind, please visit: <A
href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8368&qid=1788362">www.nfb.org</A><BR><BR>
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