No Dogs Allowed: Discrimination Against People Who Use Service Dogs

No Dogs Allowed: Discrimination Against People Who Use Service Dogs

Download PDF: http://www.equalrightscenter.org/site/DocServer/Taxicab_Report.pdf?docID=242

Accessible version: www.equalrightscenter.org/nodogsaccess
A Report by:

Video Text:
The Equal Rights Center (ERC)

The Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC)

Hogan and Lovells US LLP

More than 25 million individuals in the United States report having vision loss; approximately 2.5 million of those are legally blind.

Federal law requires taxicab drivers to allow service dogs in their vehicles, and prohibits them from charging a surcharge, higher fare, or extra fee for transporting a service dog.

Despite these protections, people encounter discrimination on a daily basis.

(Video of blind woman with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. Two cabs pass her and pick up another woman 100 feet away)

The ERC conducted tests in the District; each included two individuals, one with a service dog and one without, who stood on the same side of the block.

(Video of blind woman with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. A cab approaches her, slows down to a near stop, and then drives on to pick up another women 100 feet away)

In 60% of these tests, the tester with a service dog was subjected to at least one form of discriminatory treatment.

(Video of a woman with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. A cab passes her and picks up another women 100 feet away)

"These instances are both hurtful and an insult to those of us who must rely upon the loving assistance of our dogs to travel independently." -ERC member, Charles Crawford

Video of a man with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. A cab passes him and picks up another man 100 feet away)

"Cabbie's go whizzing by and I can't see to know if they have somebody in their cab or if they don't." -ERC member, Stan Berman

(Video of a woman with a service dog attempting to hail a cab. A cab passes her and picks up another women 100 feet away)

Help advance civil rights and learn more about what can be done to end discrimination against individuals who use service dogs.

Learn more and download the report at www.equalrightscenter.org

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• The Equal Rights Center
• ERC
• WLC
• Hogan and Lovells
• disability rights
• blind
• vision lost
• service dogs
• taxicab
• discrimination
• civil rights
• justice

[dolphinwishes]

Great video- seems like it is primarily catering to people who need service dogs because they are blind...Just a reminder that service dogs can be used by people for many other reasons as well and come in many sizes. I think sometimes people forget this so I always try to put in a little reminder :)

[TheBahaiGirl]

@friday0408 You're a terrible person. That dog (I'm assuming was a guide dog) is her EYES. I'm sorry... maybe next time she should try to not be blind... just to please you... What? Next are you going to ban humans from your taxi because we shed dead skin cells? Plus, we shed hair all the time!

You're a pathetic excuse for a human being.

[HawaiianPilyo]

I've experienced this first hand. A friend had called for a taxi and offered to drop off me and my Service Dog, as it was along the route to their destination. When the taxi arrived the driver flat out said "no" to allowing my service dog to enter his cab and stated to make a big scene about it. Long story short, another cab was called and the establishment where we were leaving, put the cab company on notice that they would be banned from doing business on the property.

[Purrpussful]

Why was this, and a similar, video changed so it can't be viewed on mobile devices? They need to be seen by MORE people, NOT FEWER!! : (

[ssj4goko4]

@dotmacis service dogs are exempt from no pets laws. i worked in a mall and we had a blind guy come in all the time with his dog. if someone did say why do you have a dog and was told it was a service animal that was the end of it.

[dotmacis]

@friday0408 Your psoriasis isn't your eyes. It doesn't prevent you from seeing and getting around in the world. A gude dog IS a blind person's eyes. Nobody asks you to leave your eyes at home when you get into a vehicle.  Why would you expect a blind person to do that?!?!

[TigerT003]

People need their dogs for many various reasons. People can't help whatever disability they have. You have to learn that everyone has their differences and if you can't handle that than get a different job or carry around a blanket for the dog... You could probably get a blanket from goodwill for very cheap if you are worried about the price... I use a service dog, and I am not blind, but I have friends who are and that was very offensive what you said...

[friday0408]

@TheBahaiGirl I love that all of you people that are attacking me all bring yourself low to insult me, and attack me in ways that aren't true. You say that I am not intelligent, yet I clearly make concise and coherent statements. You never address my main arguments and just present a touchy feely, "the world should be beautiful" case. Sorry but the world isn't and I was discriminated against for the same reason I do it. I have psoriasis. So when I shed it's illegal, but for the blind it's okay?

[TheBahaiGirl]

@friday0408 I hope that one day you get discriminated against, so that you know how it feels. You're selfish and have no compassion. You probably just assume that the dog is dirty based on your inferior intellect... When it merely has the odor that any typical well cared for dog has.

You're a discrace. I'm so glad that I have never used a taxi in my life. Because people as low as you would deny me and my reduced allergy dog (She's part poodle making her allergy friendly)

[friday0408]

@TheBahaiGirl That isn't fair to me, I can't teach the world how to bathe, or properly care for themselves and their animals. Since I can't do that, I merely don't let them infringe upon my right to a clean workplace.

[friday0408]

@TheBahaiGirl Well I have come across dirty smelling dogs. Unlike a food service industry worker, they do not have to pay for the cleaning materials, they have the right to refuse service, and are not losing money by cleaning beyond the normal duties. At least you can admit that when someone else is dirty in my cab it becomes MY fault.

[TheBahaiGirl]

@friday0408 I've never come across a service dog, guide dog or alert dog that was dirty, smelly or shedding profusely. Unfortunately you are just going to have to suck it up and DO YOUR JOB. Part of the job is to keep up on the car. If it sheds, use a lint roller... if it stinks, use a pet odor neutralizer. Very inexpensive. If anything, if I was in your dirty cab, it would be YOUR fault for not cleaning up after a customer. It's like food service, you have to clean up after your customer.