[Nfbv-announce] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing Program

[Chris Walker]

*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

*National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing
Program*Organization
to Monitor Uber, Lyft Efforts to Accommodate Service Animals

*Baltimore, Maryland (May 8, 2017):* 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.



*### *
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
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8368&qid=1788362>