perhaps the above could be posted into licensing and legal as a sticky as it would be quite a handy reference for all those mystery browsers
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| Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30086 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Oct 21, 2016 7:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
Uber driver 'sped off after spotting visually impaired passenger and her daughter, 15, had a guide dog'
The 'shaken' mother was trying to take daughter to a hospital appointment Uber are investigating and the driver may lose access to the popular app A minicab driver may permanently lose access to Uber after a passenger claims her and her daughter were left stranded because he spotted they had a guide dog. This is not the first time Claire Currie, from Mossley Hill, in Liverpool, has been refused a minicab because of her guide dog Purdey. The mother-of-four, who used to be a teacher, has a genetic condition leaving her with extremely limited vision, which she described is like ‘seeing through a straw’. Her dog Purdey was helping her take her 15-year-old daughter to an appointment at Alder Hay Children's Hospital. Claire Currie, from Liverpool, has been left worried about her and her daughter's independence after she believes an Uber taxi driver drove off because they saw her guide dog, Purdey But the incident has left her feeling shaken and she is worried it has knocked her daughter’s confidence too, after she is starting to be affected by the same condition. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo Ms Currie said: ‘I have a condition which means my vision is extremely restricted - it’s the equivalent of looking through two straws - so I like to use the app as it’s really accessible. ‘We’ve been refused access to taxis before now, but I’ve never experienced it with Uber. Usually drivers are really helpful and they’ll move the seat back to make space for the dog and make sure that everyone is comfortable. Ms Currie was trying to take her daughter to Alder Hay Children's Hospital (pictured) and is worried the incident has knocked her confidence as she is also starting to be affected by the condition Woman says Uber driver drove off after noticing her guide dog In a video with the Liverpool Echo Ms Currie explained how Purdey helps her live her life, but now other obstacles are getting in the way ‘On this occasion though he just drove off - it’s really disheartening. The reason you get a guide dog is so that you can get your independence back and get your life back, and situations like this do knock your confidence. ‘Purdey is my third guide dog, and it’s down to them that I’ve been able to be so independent. They really are life changing so it’s so upsetting when somebody tries to take that away from you.’ Ms Currie explained that although her daughter’s vision is ok at the moment, it is likely to deteriorate and she wants to show her that life will still be ok and she can be independent, but incidents like this don’t help. She added: ‘My daughter’s vision is fine at the moment, she struggles in the dark but is mostly fine - but her condition will get worse over time and eventually she will have very limited vision like me. ‘I try to lead by example and show her that she can be independent but I worry that situations like this will knock her confidence and worry her for the future. Ms Currie has been refused other taxis in the past and also believes it is because of her guide dog ‘In the past when I’ve been refused from taxis she’s been the one to stick up for me, but I worry that she wouldn’t stick up for herself in the same way.’ According to the popular taxi app, Uber bosses are investigating the report and said if any driver is found to refuse a service animal, they will ‘permanently lose access to the Uber app.’ Uber admit they are investigating what happened to Ms Currie and say it is 'totally unacceptable' An Uber spokesperson told the local paper: ‘It’s totally unacceptable for drivers to refuse to take a guide dog and we are investigating this report. ‘Licensed private-hire drivers must carry service animals in their vehicle and we remind all drivers of this legal obligation before they start using the Uber app. Any driver who is found to have refused to take a service animal will permanently lose access to the Uber app and risks having their private hire licence taken away.’ Lynette Proctor, engagement officer for Guide Dogs Liverpool added: ‘It is incredibly disappointing to hear about Claire’s experience. This is the first access refusal we have had from an Uber driver in our area. ‘Shockingly, for people living with sight loss being refused access to a taxi or private hire vehicle because they are accompanied by a guide dog happens far too often. ‘It’s not only illegal, it knocks people’s confidence and stops them doing the everyday things that most people take for granted. ‘At Guide Dogs we want tougher sentences for drivers who turn away assistance dog owners.’ WHY DO TAXI DRIVERS HAVE TO TAKE GUIDE DOGS? Under the Equality Act 2010 all drivers and public transport operators have to take guide dogs, and any other assistance dogs, at no extra cost. They must not treat the guide dog owner less favourably because of their impairment. Under the Act, there may be occasion for an individual driver to hold an Exemption Certificate which relates to a specific medical condition. But it is not acceptable to refuse transport for religious or cultural beliefs, a view that is supported by the Muslim Shariat Council. A guide dog owner equally has responsibilities to ensure that the dog is clearly an assistance dog, through use of a harness and/or identification card. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z4NkKccxIo |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
captain cab wrote: But the incident has left her feeling shaken and she is worried it has knocked her daughter’s confidence too, after she is starting to be affected by the same condition. Now most, if not all, of us think blanking a customer with a blind dog is unacceptable, however I'm not sure I agree with the tale of woe above, |
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| Author: | edders23 [ Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
definitely seeking either publicity or hoping the public will shower her with gifts or offers of chauffeuring her around. Either that or she has an extremely flakey personality |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Sun Oct 23, 2016 2:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
Can taxi drivers legally refuse a guide dog? Expert explains... The law on guide dogs may surprise you After an Uber driver drove off and left a Liverpool woman and her guide dog stranded - we’ve taken a look at what the law says about where guide dogs are allowed. For many blind people, having the support of an assistance dog gives them back their independance - but charity Guide Dogs UK says that three in every four guide dog owners say they have been refused access to taxis, hotels and even GP practices in the past twelve months. Despite the efforts of assistance dog charities - owners of these animals are still frequently refused access, with taxi refusals the most common. So far this year, Guide Dogs Liverpool has dealt with 31 access refusals from across Merseyside- with 18 of these from taxis or private hire vehicles. What does the law say? Despite the frequency of access refusals - the law on where you can and can’t bring a guide dog is actually crystal clear. Under the Equality Act, guide dog and other assistance dog owners should legally be allowed access to business and premises. There is also a special section in the law for taxis and private hire vehicles - which means that the driver must carry the disabled person’s dog and allow it to remain with that person. The law also bans anyone from charging extra for allowing the guide dog into their vehicle. What is the punishment for breaking the law? Currently, if a taxi driver doesn’t follow these two rules they are breaking the law and can be fined up to £1000. As well as financial fines, anyone with a private hire license that refuses a service animal also risks having the private hire license revoked. Uber is particularly stringent about assistance dogs - and their guidelines state that any driver found to have refused a guide dog will permanently lose access to Uber, even if their council does not revoke their license. What does Uber say about the rules? A spokesperson for Uber said: “Licensed private-hire drivers must carry service animals in their vehicle and we remind all drivers of this legal obligation before they start using the Uber app. Any driver who is found to have refused to take a service animal will permanently lose access to the Uber app and risks having their private hire licence taken away.” What do Guide Dogs UK say about access? Lynette Proctor, engagement officer for Guide Dogs Liverpool Mobility team says that dealing with access refusals is a large portion of her job. She said: “Guide Dogs UK is currently running a campaign so that assistance dog owners can access taxis, shops and restaurants without being refused entry, in line with their legal rights. “Ignorance of the law seems to play a big part in business owners and staff turning away assistance dog owners. Of the reasons given for a refusal, the most commonly reported problem in the survey, was that the dog is unwelcome because food was being served (27 per cent), followed by dislike of dogs by them or their customers (25 per cent)." “Since the law is very clear that neither of these are valid reasons for refusing service to an assistance dog owner, it suggests a lack of understanding of the special role and training of assistance dogs, and of the service provider’s duties under the law. “A large portion of my work at Guide Dogs is raising awareness amongst the general public of businesses’ legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for assistance dog owners to stop these refusals from continuing. “We will continue to campaign for the rights of blind and partially sighted people until they have the same freedom of movement as everyone else.” source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liv ... e-12065857 |
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| Author: | edders23 [ Sun Oct 23, 2016 3:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
perhaps the above could be posted into licensing and legal as a sticky as it would be quite a handy reference for all those mystery browsers
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| Author: | captain cab [ Sun Oct 23, 2016 9:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
Quote: The law on guide dogs may surprise you In what respect would the law surprise me you first class dickheads? |
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| Author: | Nidge2 [ Sun Oct 23, 2016 9:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
Makes me wonder how they keep operating? |
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| Author: | skippy41 [ Mon Oct 24, 2016 7:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
She should be able to find out who the driver was from her records, I would also advise her to go to licencing and complain, giving the drivers details |
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| Author: | Chris the Fish [ Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
skippy41 wrote: She should be able to find out who the driver was from her records, I would also advise her to go to licencing and complain, giving the drivers details Can you re-type that in Braille Skippy? 
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| Author: | skippy41 [ Tue Oct 25, 2016 5:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Uber driver 'sped off after spotting blind passeger |
Chris the Fish wrote: skippy41 wrote: She should be able to find out who the driver was from her records, I would also advise her to go to licencing and complain, giving the drivers details Can you re-type that in Braille Skippy? Allegedly when you order a sheit cart from uber, they send the driver and vehicle details to you |
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