[Nfbv-announce] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Lyft, National Federation of the Blind Announce Accessibility Improvements for Riders Who Travel with Service Animals

Wed Apr 5 16:09:52 UTC 2017

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**CONTACT:*
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330 <(410)%20659-9314>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org

*Scott Coriell *Lyft
(802) 353-1449
scoriell at lyft.com

*Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind Announce Comprehensive
Accessibility Improvements for Lyft Riders Who Travel with Service Animals *

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.

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 *all
*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.

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.

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.”

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."

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.”

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.

*### *

About the National Federation of the Blind

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.

*About Lyft *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.

*About the TRE Legal Practice *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 www.trelegal.com
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7928&qid=1755722>
.

*About Disability Rights Advocates *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
www.dralegal.org
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7929&qid=1755722>,
or contact Julia Marks, jmarks at dralegal.org.

*About Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP *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 http://rbgg.com/
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=7930&qid=1755722>,
or contact Michael Nunez, mnunez at rbgg.com.
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
United States
(410) 659-9314

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