[NJAGDU] FW: [NAGDU] Uber and Self-Identification

Sun Nov 3 13:20:04 UTC 2024

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Raul Gallegos - NAGDU
via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, November 2, 2024 10:08 AM
To: 'NAGDU List' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; nfb-nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Raul Gallegos - NAGDU <rgallegos at nagdu.org>; 'NAGDU' <board at nagdu.org>
Subject: [NAGDU] Uber and Self-Identification

Hello everyone, please share this wherever appropriate. I have received a
few emails from folks that the link to the letter that President Riccobono
wrote to Uber isn't working. I have fixed this, and hopefully this time, it
should work.

As many of you know, blind people continue facing ongoing rideshare denials
when traveling with their guide dogs. As if that weren't bad enough, we are
starting to see denials of blind people in general. Currently, when a denial
occurs, the rider has the burden of filing a complaint, ordering a new ride,
and beginning the process all over again. Furthermore, the rider has the
burden of remembering to capture a screenshot, record a video, or take a
note about the driver's name and the type of car the driver was in when the
denial occurred. These steps are burdensome and require that the blind
person have the necessary skillset to perform these tasks, and that the
blind person remembers to capture as much information as possible for the
complaint process.

The National Federation of the Blind has been working with Uber to find the
best methods of reducing the ongoing denials. One of these methods is by
using an optional self-identification process to the Uber driver that we are
traveling with a guide dog. If this is implemented correctly, whenever a
rider chooses to self-identify to the driver, the driver will not be alerted
to this until after the ride is accepted. Then, if the driver cancels the
ride after accepting the ride and seeing the message, Uber will then
automatically file the complaint on behalf of the rider, begin an
investigation, and automatically match the rider with a new driver. This
will eliminate the burden where the rider must do this manually using the
current complaint methods that Uber has established.

Let me be clear, the self-identification system that I am discussing is
completely optional. Also, in order for this to work, Uber cannot disclose
that the rider is traveling with a guide dog until after the driver accepts
the ride. For example, if I am a rider who chooses to self-identify that I
am traveling with a guide dog, I will order a ride, Uber will match me with
a driver, the driver will accept the ride, then as the driver is
approaching, they are notified that I am traveling with a guide dog. At this
point, if the driver cancels the ride, Uber will assume that it's because I
am traveling with a guide dog, and the complaint process will happen
automatically.

In many ways, this is no different than when a rider sends a note to the
driver, saying something like, look for the person with the guide dog.
However, the difference with the self-identification system is that this
will be automatic.

Unfortunately, Uber plans on implementing a self-identification system where
one of the options is for the driver to be made aware that the rider is
traveling with a guide dog before accepting the ride. By allowing the driver
to see this information prior to accepting the ride, this defeats the
purpose of what we are trying to accomplish and is also unlawful.

In response, President Mark Riccobono wrote a letter to Uber where he
outlines the problem with this approach, and where he explains how this is
unlawful if Uber doesn't implement the self-identification system correctly.
The letter can be found from the following link.

https://nfb.org/blog/rideshare-advocacy-unlawful-implementation-self-identif
ication

https://nfb.org/blog/rideshare-advocacy-unlawful-implementation-self-identif
ication

In closing, I am aware that there are those who are vehemently against any
form of self-identification, whether it is to Uber, Lyft, a restaurant, or
to an employer. While I am personally okay with self-identification if it's
done lawfully, I would like everyone to remember that this is completely
optional. For example, I might choose to pre-board on an airplane when
traveling with my guide dog, but not when traveling with my cane. By
choosing to pre-board, I am effectively self-identifying that I have a
disability and that I am traveling with a guide dog.

Thank you.

--

Raul Gallegos, President

National Association of Guide Dog Users

(346) 439-7444 . rgallegos at nagdu.org <mailto:rgallegos at nagdu.org> 

www.nfb.org <https://d.docs.live.net/df04fbdd43ea5830/Documents/www.nfb.org>
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