[NFBOH-Cleveland] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: National Federation of the Blind to Raise Awareness of Discrimination by Rideshare Companies

[smturner.234 at gmail.com]

Release Date

Monday, October 7, 2024

Type

Press Release <https://nfb.org/press-release-types/press-release> 

Category

National <https://nfb.org/press-releases/national>              

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Federation of the Blind to Raise Awareness of Discrimination by
Rideshare Companies

Rideshare Rally to be Held at Uber and Lyft Headquarters

San Francisco, California (October 7, 2024): The National Federation of the
Blind, which advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the
United States, will lead a rally at the headquarters of ride-sharing giants
Uber and Lyft on October 15. The Rideshare Rally will draw attention to the
companies' failure to stop discrimination against blind individuals,
particularly those accompanied by guide dogs, which violates state and
federal law and the companies' own stated policies. The rally, which is
drawing blind people from across the nation, takes place on White Cane
Awareness Day, which celebrates the ability of blind people to travel
independently.

Blind people demand that Uber and Lyft implement a zero-tolerance policy for
violators; reduce the burdens imposed on blind passengers to report denials;
and deliver better driver education on the policy and laws regarding blind
passengers, especially guide dog users. 

"Uber and Lyft provide a service that is of tremendous benefit to blind
people, but these companies are failing to address discrimination against us
that often leaves us stranded," said Mark Riccobono, President of the
National Federation of the Blind. "This is no mere inconvenience; it
violates the law, strips us of our dignity, and often endangers our health
and safety. In addition, there have been instances where we are verbally or
physically threatened or abused, and our guide dogs have also been
traumatized or injured. When we report these incidents, we are offered
platitudes that do nothing to remedy the discrimination or hold violators
accountable. This has been going on for nearly a decade after both companies
made commitments to stop this discrimination. Even so, we have continued
dialogue in good faith. But we have had enough, and we intend to fight until
none of us are denied our right to ride. We welcome the support of our
friends and allies in this effort."

The Rideshare Rally will occur first in front of Uber's headquarters located
at 1725 Third Street beginning at 10 a.m. PDT and then in front of Lyft's
headquarters located at 185 Berry Street beginning at 1:30 p.m. PDT. 

###

About the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind, headquartered in Baltimore, defends
the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support
to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and
more. Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy
organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in
the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes
and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality.
Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at <https://nfb.org/>
nfb.org.

CONTACT

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

410-659-9314, extension 2330

cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> 

 <https://nfb.org/> 

National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230

Phone 410-659-9314 <tel:+14106599314> 
Email nfb at nfb.org <mailto:nfb at nfb.org> 

 
<https://www.charitywatch.org/charities/national-federation-of-the-blind#rat
ings-and-metrics> 

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