[Nfbf-l] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing Program

[Sherri]

For your information.


Thank you.

Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: National Federation of the Blind
To: Ms. Sherri Brun
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2017 9:00 AM
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing 
Program


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(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


















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