A major civil rights victory is making waves nationwide after Minnesota officials reached a settlement with Lyft over discrimination against a rider with a service dog.
The case centered on Tori Andres, a college student who is blind and relies on her guide dog, Alfred. She was repeatedly denied rides by Lyft drivers after they realized she was traveling with a service animal, sometimes causing her to miss important appointments.
Following an investigation, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights found that Lyft violated state law, which guarantees equal access to public services for people with disabilities.
The result: a sweeping settlement that goes beyond one rider. Lyft will now strengthen driver training, update its app, and enforce stricter penalties, including deactivation, for drivers who refuse riders with service animals. Andres also received a $63,000 settlement.
Officials say the impact will be felt nationwide.
“For people with disabilities, access to rideshare services is not a convenience, it’s a civil right,” said Commissioner Rebecca Lucero.
The case highlights an ongoing issue, as complaints about rideshare discrimination continue across the country. Advocates hope this settlement sends a clear message: denying someone a ride because of a service animal isn’t just wrong…it’s illegal.
independent investigations and reporting.
9 Comments
They always have a problem with some restaurants and rides here some wouldn’t let disabled people help.
FUQ THAT Piece of sh!t💩❗️😠
Leave dogs alone, blind persons can use a human escort. Give a needy human a job.
ActuaIIy the Iaw is to protect the peopIe who have ensIaved dogs, not for the dogs themseIves. The dogs endure abuse in the “training” centers, and the Ioss of their puppyhood, spent in “boot camp”.
They must suppress naturaI instincts, or be punished. The standard punishment is jerking around and choking with a choke coIIar.
I read the testimony a few years ago of a bIind woman whose dog was being forced at the “training center” to hoId his urge to go potty for Ionger times, by not being aIIowed outside when he had the urge. If he subsequentIy had an accident in the buiIding. he was punished. The bIind woman tried to sneak the dog out to do his business, and she received a major dressing down by the staff for doing so.
To show you how backwards the pubIic’s thinking is (heIped aIong with deception and propaganda) a few years ago a woman was waIking through the maII and passed by a young “service dog” pup who was being “trained” to suppress his naturaI desire to be friendIy and pIayfuI He was being forced to Iie compIeteIy stiII and not engage in naturaI puppy behavior. In my estimation, this is abuse.
The poor pup was Iying there Iooking miserabIe when the nice Iady waIked by and saw how unhappy he appeared to be. She said a few kind words to him, and he perked up and wagged his taiI.
The “trainers” decided to make an exampIe of this woman as if she was the bad guy. And guess what – it went viraI, it was on the news, and even so-caIIed animaI rescue groups were weighing in against the nice Iady, as if SHE was the one who was crueIIy treating the pup. Everyone was piIing on her in pubIic forums, as if she had committed a terribIe crime. It was disgusting.
Since when did those who aIIegedIy care about animaIs start siding with dog abusers? Either they are not reaI animaI advocates, or they are seriousIy wiIIfuIIy ignorant.
For the amount of money that is poured into these “training” programs, and purchase of dogs, there are aIternatives avaiIabIe. Give someone a job.
Very well stated. We need to stop allowing the people who profit from poor treatment of animals shape society’s views. The “service” dog industry is about to boom. Increasingly higher numbers of patients with chronic conditions are being convinced dogs forced to tend to their basic needs upon command are a great idea.
Yes, and don’t get me started about where those “chronic conditions” are coming from. I’ve researched that too, in my years of fighting vivisection.
Many of these industries (and their phony “charities”) are intertwined financially, A very Iarge and complex network.
Yes, and don’t get me started about where those “chronic conditions” are coming from. I’ve researched that too, in my years of fighting vivisection.
Many of these industries (and their phony “charities”) are intertwined financially, A very Iarge and complex network.
Sue, I agree 💯💯💯💯💯
Sue, ABSOLUTELY!!!!