[EcoboostMKS]

Settlement today. Is this only blind people or service dogs for any disability?

People buy the service dog vest and patches on eBay so they can take their dog everywhere. People even buy this for pitbulls and are not service dogs. It's against the law to ask for proof or the disibility.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/uber-714305-blind-service.html

A service dog is not required to wear anything showing it's a service dog. There are specific questions you can ask. If the dog is a legitimate service dog, you absolutely should be taking the rider and dog if you're opening your car for business to the public. And no this is not limited to just the blind. This applies to anyone with a legitimate service dog.

Do service animals have to wear a vest or patch or special harness identifying them as service animals?

A. No. The ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness.

What questions can a covered entity's employees ask to determine if a dog is a service animal?

A. In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person's disability.

http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html

 

[EcoboostMKS]

So anyone can get away with this if they know what to say? Is there a correct answer for #2?

Yes, that's correct. If they answer the questions, you have to go on their word. It's pretty much the honor system. I'd hope most people wouldn't fake a disability just to take Fido along for a car ride or to get them into places where dogs aren't typically allowed. That's pretty despicable in my opinion.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

I don't know what the problem is with dogs personally. Better behaved than most pax.

I have two dogs sleeping next to me right now as I type this, but it's not my job to drive around someone else's pets. When it comes to pets, drivers have the right to choose if they want to risk the fur, clean up, allergies, etc.

When it comes to service animals, that's a different stories. The animal is not a pet, it's medical equipment and should be treated like that. If I owned a store, I wouldn't tell someone they can't come in because they're in a wheelchair. Same goes for someone with a service animal.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

They know in CA it is against the law to ask about what the dog does and owner disability.

But that's not correct. I posted the specific questions you're allowed to ask.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

I have a bag of dog pampers in my trunk just in case but let's make something clear, as Uber has stated many times,we as drivers DO NOT WORK for Uber, we are independent contractors, and as such I am the President and Owner of my company and I am the one that pick the jobs I want to do and not Uber, my car isn't a Taxi, Bus or Limo, it is my car, the one I use to transport my little daughter around as well so if you bring a big ass dog and I think that is too much for my Prius it is my call, my car, my company. You are welcome to send and email complaining to my company [email protected]

You realize most taxi drivers are independent contractors too, right? Most are not employees. And to blow your mind even more, you're just as much of a taxi as any other taxi on the road. You do the same exact job. Your car just doesn't have stickers on them, but you're a taxi.

And all someone has to do is complain to uber and you're deactivated. So no more $4 rides with no tip for you.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

When I went to the uber assist event a while back, they said you are not allowed to ask any questions. If someone says it's a service dog, you have to take their word for it.

I have no problem taking a legit service dog. Pets are annoying.

They're incorrect then. You can also asks the specific tasks the animal is trained to perform. It's on the ADA website.

If they can adequately answer that question, then you have to take their word for it.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

Though i agree with you, every company enforces it's own policies on top of that. I'm just saying don't be surprised for deactivating people over this.

A company's policies don't trump state and federal laws though.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

If a service dog makes a mess in our car will we be reimbursed, like with throw up?

I don't know for sure, but I'd think so. No different than a passenger throwing up in your car.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

Of course not, but they can enforce stricter rules. They can't do less than the law requires, but they can always do more. "Higher standards"

Makes sense, but I don't see why uber would have a policy stricter than what the ADA guidelines allow. I'd like to see that in writing. Maybe you heard incorrectly?

But then again, I wouldn't put anything past uber. Nothing they do would surprise me anymore. I don't think there is a written law they wouldn't break for their own good.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

We're a little different than taxis as they rent or lease their cars. We own and maintain ours

How many taxi companies have you worked for (besides uber)? A lot of taxi drivers own their cars.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

No others just thought most are rented or leased. I do agree that a lot of companion animals out ther arent legit service animals

It really depends on the company. I got into this business driving a taxi and always owned my cars. All the drivers did. Bought the car, the meter and radio, stickers, paid for the inspections, repairs, etc. For some you rent and for some you own.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

To tell you frankly I'm OK with small dogs, service animal or not, but I have a phobia of large dogs in a confined space, have been chased and attached way too many times as a child ADA should protect me ....

I get that phobias are real and I'm not doubting yours at all, but you're probably not going to have a seizure or go into diabetic shock because of it. Those are some of the reasons why people need their service dogs with them. If your phobia is so severe that's it's debilitating to your daily life and need it to live than maybe the you need a service dog too and the ADA is there to protect your right to have one.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

When will this emotional dog lunacy end?

"My dog has a nervous disorder and needs an emotional support human to escort him everywhere. Open the door".

Other than on airplanes (i believe), emotional support dogs don't have the same rights as service dogs. If someone has an emotional support animal, you don't have to take them in your car if you choose not to. The laws only apply to service dogs.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

The key word is "EMPLOYEES" ---> which we are not.

1099 independent contractors should be given the right to accept or decline all and any passengers.

Doesn't matter. There are plenty of taxi drivers that are labeled independent contractors. Actually, I bet the high majority are. I know I was when I was driving a taxi. The laws still apply. You can not discriminate for a disability just because you're not an employee.

The only thing the "independent contractor" label gets you is the ability for uber to not give you benefits.

Don't believe me? Just as the company you're contracting for. Ask them what happens when you deny service to someone with a service dog and they report you for it. Ask them what happens.

 

[EcoboostMKS]

1. Probably not, but I'd hope it's not about money. If someone were to sue someone, it would be about setting an example. It's a discrimination issue.

2. That may be the case, but the laws still apply to you. If you don't mind risking deactivation, hurting someone's feelings, and wasting someone's time - go for it. I don't agree with it and neither does the law, but who am I to tell someone what to do?

3. I have two german shepherds, but they're my pets, not my medical equipment. I wouldn't impose them on some random taxi driver's car. I don't want someone's pets in my car, but it's my legal obligation to take their service dogs.