Miami-Dade blind lady says Uber driver refused her a experience over service canine

An Aventura lady shared a video exhibiting the Uber driver who refused to offer her a experience.

Robbie Esper, who’s legally blind and makes use of listening to aids, stated the experience was canceled due to her service canine Ted.

“She went ballistic on me and she said she was going to call the police,” Esper stated. “It makes me feel like a second-class citizen.”

Under the Americans with Disabilities Acta information canine is a sort of service animal skilled to carry out duties for individuals with disabilities and customarily can go wherever their handler goes.

Uber’s web site is evident: Drivers legally can’t deny service to riders with service animals.

Uber entered right into a settlement settlement with the National Federation of the Blind in 2016. According to officers with the Department of Justice, Uber agreed to require drivers to offer equal service to individuals with disabilities who use service animals. The settlement has since expired.

Esper stated she has skilled issues with the rideshare service up to now.

In 2019, Uber suspended a driver for refusing Esper and a information canine at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

In this most recent incident, Esper thought selecting Uber Pet, a costlier and pet-friendly service, would imply much less problem. She stated she referred to as for the experience with a pal, who additionally makes use of a information canine.

Attorney Matthew Dietz stated Ted ought to be capable of go the place Esper travels.

“Just like you can’t refuse a person because they’re Black, Hispanic, a woman— you can’t refuse a person with a disability,” Dietz stated.

In a press release, an Uber spokesperson stated, “What this rider experienced is incredibly frustrating. All drivers agree to transport service animals when signing up on the Uber app, and we have a dedicated team that investigates service animal-related reports. We have investigated this case and taken appropriate action.”

Local 10 has requested for the service to make clear the particular motion and we’re ready to listen to again.

“I want people to know that people like me and millions of others have disabilities and we rely on service dogs,” Esper stated. Why ought to we be afraid to ask for assist and stay a traditional life like everyone else?”