TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Jordan Reiche is legally blind and says she doesn’t go anywhere without her guide dog, Blue.
“He’s an extension of me,” she said. “He helps me do everything.”
Reiche says she was born with a genetic condition that causes gradual vision loss from the outside in, meaning she can only see images straight in front of her, and not very well. The condition is worsening, and Blue helps her navigate the world and travel to work.
But not without trouble.
Three times a week, two times a day, she says she uses rideshare services to commute from downtown Tampa to Largo. She says about once a week a driver refuses to allow Blue in the car, which is against the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“It’s stressful. I never know if Uber is going to deny my ride or not,” she said.
Uber and Lyft both have policies online reiterating that drivers are required to follow the law and could lose their positions with the ride share companies if they don’t.
A spokesperson for Uber sent this statement:
“Uber is committed to providing all our users with a safe and welcoming experience, including those with service animals. We have a dedicated support team that investigates service denial reports, and acts of discrimination are not tolerated. All Uber drivers are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and we continue to collaborate with advocates and experts to help advance accessibility for all.”
Reiche says she wanted to share her story in hopes of educating others so this doesn’t happen to her and others.
“We’re already dependent on this system that should hopefully work for us, right?” Reiche said. “It’s just another hurdle that we have to try to navigate, so just know the law.”
