[Nfbofsc] Ridesharing Testing Program

Wed May 8 21:40:06 UTC 2019

National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing Program

Organization to Monitor Uber, Lyft Efforts to Accommodate Service Animals

Baltimore, Maryland.  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.

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."

For more information about the program and to access the online
questionnaire, please visit www.nfb.org/rideshare
<http://www.nfb.org/rideshare> .

###

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.

For more information about the National Federation of the Blind, please
visit: www.nfb.org
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National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230
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