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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><h1 align=center style='text-align:center'>National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing Program<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'>Organization to Monitor Uber, Lyft Efforts to Accommodate Service Animals<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><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">www.nfb.org/rideshare</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><b>###</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>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><o:p></o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td width=514 style='width:382.5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td width=514 style='width:382.5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td width=514 style='width:382.5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><br> <br><br><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8369&qid=1788362"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D46464.8352DCE0" alt="Image removed by sender. 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Donate to the NFB Icon."></span></a> <br><br><b>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | (410) 659-9314</b><br><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=6767&qid=1788362&h=2c927273e4b25dc5">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=6767&qid=1788362&h=2c927273e4b25dc5">Opt Out </a>| <a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8374&qid=1788362">Sign up for email newsletter </a><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td width=514 style='width:382.5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><br>200 East Wells Street<br>Baltimore, MD 21230<br>United States</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>