Guide Dogs for the Blind Rideshare Survey Results Reveal More Than 83 Percent of Respondents Have Been Denied Access
April 17 2024 - 10:05AM
Business Wire
- Report Uncovers Impacts of Rideshare
Denials for Guide Dog Users
Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) has announced the findings of its
first North American rideshare survey among people who are blind or
visually impaired, with more than 83 percent of respondents
reporting they been refused service, and many stating they had been
denied multiple times when traveling with their guide dog.
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A woman and her guide dog cross a busy
street. (Photo: Business Wire)
The 16-question survey was designed by the GDB Alumni
Association Board, to determine the extent and impact of rideshare
denials among guide dog handlers in North America. It was conducted
between January and February 2023, with 185 guide dog users in the
U.S. and Canada completing the survey.
A large majority of survey participants (82 percent) utilize
rideshare services, validating other past research studies which
have shown that the convenience of door-to-door transportation has
great appeal to those who are blind or visually impaired, causing
many to walk to destinations and use public transit less often. In
addition to the magnitude of rideshare denials, the survey results
uncovered dramatic insights into the often-devastating impacts
falling into three major categories: psychological, social, and
economic.
“These findings are concerning and sound the alarm that
rideshare denials are not just an inconvenience, but they are
perilous to the mental health and civil rights of all guide dog
handlers who patronize rideshare services,” said Dr. Melba
Velez-Ortiz, a GDB Alumni Board member who spearheaded the survey
design and implementation. “As a researcher and a blind
investigator, I see these findings as an opportunity to intervene
and improve the lives of guide dog handlers all over North America
and potentially the world.”
More than 46 percent of respondents reported psychological
impacts, which are defined as moderate-to-severe feelings of
anxiety, frustration, degradation, abuse, demoralization, stress,
tension, or uncertainty brought on as a direct result of being
denied service. One respondent reported being “denied service
repeatedly because of my guide dog, even in inclement weather, and
these experiences have traumatized me.”
Social impacts were the second most reported type of impact from
respondents, with more than 27 percent saying they had suffered a
net loss in social activities and community participation as a
direct result of rideshare denials. One respondent professed, “The
experience or threat of having the driver give me a bad time or
leave upon sight of my guide dog prevents me from going out.”
Approximately 16 percent of respondents cited economic impacts,
which include the expenses incurred by guide dog users and the
undue circumstances, such as missing a flight or job interview,
that indirectly cost them time and money, as a direct result of
being denied access. These losses can be profound to guide dog
users, but they also often end up causing profit losses to the
rideshare companies, because guide-dog-using customers discontinue
service.
"While these findings are very troubling, they can be used to
help educate rideshare companies and their drivers about the
harmful effects of denying service to guide dog handlers,” added
Christine Benninger, president and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
“We also hope this research can be leveraged to motivate more
advocacy and further research to find lasting solutions to this
issue for the blindness community in the coming decades.”
A copy of the survey results is available at Rideshare
Survey.
About Guide Dogs for the Blind
Headquartered in San Rafael, Calif., Guide Dogs for the Blind
(GDB) is the largest guide dog school in North America. It is a
passionate community that prepares highly qualified guide dogs to
empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired to move
through the world more safely and confidently. More than 16,000
guide teams have graduated from GDB since it was founded in 1942.
Over the course of 80 years, GDB’s mission has expanded to three
kinds of programs: Guide Dog Mobility Program, Orientation and
Mobility (O&M) Program, and K9 Buddy Program. GDB not only
improves mobility for its clients, but it also furthers inclusion
and advocates for policy reforms that change how the world views
blindness. GDB’s services are provided free of charge, and it
receives no government funding. The organization was the subject of
an award-winning documentary feature called Pick of the Litter,
which continues to be available on various streaming platforms. For
more information, visit guidedogs.com, or call 800.295.4050.
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Barbara Zamost barbara@zamostpr.com (415) 987-2810