During a National Federation of the Blind convention in Houston last summer, Krystal White faced discrimination when trying to use Uber with her guide dog, Gage. This is a common issue for visually impaired individuals, as White explains that drivers have driven past her or refused to pick her up because of her guide dog. This has caused her to miss appointments and important events, leaving her feeling isolated and frustrated. White joined other protesters outside the San Francisco headquarters of Uber and Lyft on October 15 to demand that the companies take action to stop discrimination against people with disabilities, particularly those who use guide dogs or white canes. Many protesters shared personal experiences of being rejected by drivers because of their visual impairments. The demands included implementing a zero-tolerance policy for discriminatory drivers and better educating drivers on accommodating passengers with visual impairments. The protest was organized by the National Federation of the Blind on White Cane Awareness Day. While Uber did not respond to a request for comment, a Lyft spokesperson stated that discrimination has no place in their community and they strive to provide an inclusive and accessible platform for all riders.
