Navigating the world has its set of challenges, especially when people have certain conditions.

Many Aussies, especially seniors, understand the importance of reliable transportation, especially when driving is no longer an option.

However, when supposedly accessible services become a barrier themselves, it presents an opportunity for action.

This is the story of Paula Hobley, a Victorian woman who strived for independence and normalcy despite the hurdles of blindness.

Ms Hobley has relied on taxis and rideshare services like Uber to attend medical appointments, meet friends, and complete her shopping.

Ms Hobley signed up for Uber's Service Assistance Programme, which should notify drivers that the traveller has a guide dog during the trip.

Ms Paula Hobley is blind and heavily relies on her guide dog for navigation. Image Credit: Pexels/Gustavo Fring

However, her pursuit of a simple, stress-free travel experience has been repeatedly thwarted by an unexpected adversary.

Her journey has been marred by a series of refusals from Uber drivers that violated both her rights and Australian law.

'As a person with a disability, I'm not a second-class citizen,' Ms Hobley stated in an interview.

'I have the right to access services in the same way as everyone else.'

Drivers would often tell Ms Hobley to book another service called Uber Pet.

'Uber Pet is for pets. A guide dog is not a pet,' she clarified.

According to the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), it is illegal to refuse service to a person with an assistance animal.

Yet, Ms Hobley faced this discrimination on dozens of occasions, which led her to take a stand by suing Uber in the Federal Court.

Her case highlighted a broader issue that has become endemic, as current policies failed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Ms Hobley's experiences were not isolated incidents.

According to a survey run by Guide Dogs Australia, nearly half of guide dog handlers had been denied a ride in the past two years.

This widespread problem has been an inconvenience among individuals who require assistance dogs.

In response to Ms Hobley's move, Uber immediately emphasised their commitment to working with stakeholders to prevent such refusals.

The ride-hailing app also reiterated the training and education they continue to provide to their drivers.

Uber explained that they have policies in place that require drivers to comply with laws regarding riders with disabilities, including those with assistance animals.

However, the continued occurrence of these refusals suggested that these measures are not enough.

Ms Hobley's legal battle was beyond her grievances; it's about holding companies accountable and ensuring that the rights of people with disabilities are upheld.

For our readers who may face similar challenges, Ms Hobley's story should be a reminder that you have rights that deserve to be respected.

It's also a call to action for all of us to support efforts to make our society more inclusive and accessible.

Key Takeaways

• A Victorian woman sued the ride-hailing app Uber after allegedly discrimination against her and her guide dog.
• Despite efforts to educate drivers and work with stakeholders, Uber has been unable to prevent service refusals for those with guide dogs.
• A survey from Guide Dogs Australia indicated that nearly 50 per cent of passengers with guide dogs have been denied services in the past two years.
• The case aimed to address the broader issue of disability discrimination in ride-sharing services.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges with transportation services like Uber? Let's discuss in the comments below and work together to raise awareness and drive change.

 

[Kman]

I wonder if Uber CEO or whatever, is aware that drivers of Indian background are shit scared of dogs.

 

[Liz]

Some taxi drivers won't turn up if you have a Taxi Subsidy Card from our State Government. Just because it is half fare, that is discrimination as well.

 

[Joydie]

It's a little known fact that adherents of the world's fastest growing religion hate dogs. They regard them as unclean and would not want them in their vehicles.

My husband was a crossing guard at our local primary school and it greatly amused him to watch the steps - no pun intended - taken by parents of this religion to avoid walking themselves or their children anywhere near the parents who'd come to drop off or collect their kids and brought the dog along for a walk.

The refusal to adhere to the laws of this state like the rest of us have to, is just another example of multiculturalism gone wrong.

 

[Liz]

It's a little known fact that adherents of the world's fastest growing religion hate dogs. They regard them as unclean and would not want them in their vehicles.

My husband was a crossing guard at our local primary school and it greatly amused him to watch the steps - no pun intended - taken by parents of this religion to avoid walking themselves or their children anywhere near the parents who'd come to drop off or collect their kids and brought the dog along for a walk.

The refusal to adhere to the laws of this state like the rest of us have been to, is just another example of multiculturalism gone wrong.

They and some people from the African continent don't like cats as well. One told me to put my cat, who was in a carry case, in the boot. I told him, that if she goes in the boot so do I. There are a lot of foreign taxi drivers here who don't like domestic animals either because of their religion or their beliefs that they are lower class and should be on the streets like in their countries. You are paying for a service. I always, when booking, say I have a cat in a carry case and they are supposed? to put two drivers on standby, in case one declines or is allergic. It is getting harder to get drivers to come and pick us up just to go to the vet.

 

[CragD1761]

On Kman's point: It's acknowledged that " a fear of ??, & phobias also " are valid conditions in the community. Companies, such as Uber, across the board should as part of their charter & a " common sense ideal ", have a serious ongoing training regime that provides for & offers their employees/drivers' a means of confronting & overcoming their fears/phobias. By facing, working through & understanding, with professional guidance, one's fears & phobias can be completely negated.
Such aforementioned training regimes " will " ensure disabled people, like Ms. P. Hobley & her assistance animal, aren't discriminated against . . . . . " period " !!

On Liz's point: It's a " Doh " & a definite " no-brainer "; that taxi drivers often don't or won't comprehend that they aren't being fleeced / short-changed, because the Government " pays - the other half " of the full fare. In that regard, the whinge that the driver " doesn't ' get a full fare on the spot . . . . is absolutely moot.

 

[RFG]

Down right disgraceful. The company & said drivers should cop a hefty fine. I did not know about the half fare with the subsidy card.

 

[novezar]

No mention of the outcome of the court proceedings.
So, the "?" is, did court action take place & what was the result of same?

 

[Jest]

good on her. i have just started comlink. ordered a taxi for 1pm monday for a doctor. at 1.15pm it still hadn't arrived so i took myself in my car. i returned home around 3pm and at 4pm comlink phoned me as the taxi company was wondering when i would like to be picked up. told them i hadn't even been picked up at 1pm. is this a rort, or what?

 

[Still Ebby]

This poor woman as if being blind isn't enough without all this palaver.
l hope she had a good outcome when she went to Court! .

 

[Isis]

My dog is an assistance dog due to a brain tumor (begn

I wonder if Uber CEO or whatever, is aware that drivers of Indian background are shit scared of dogs.

i have found that just walking my assistance dog through my local shopping centre. Breaks my heart to see children dragged away from my beautiful kelpie.

 

[Squizzy1]

I understand the woman's gripe and concern, but fear of animals, etc, is also a disability, so should it bar them from providing rides, the same problem exists with many delivery drivers, should it bar them from the job? Regardless of what the Law says, those with disabilities are not treated the same as able bodied.

 

[Isis]

Some taxi drivers won't turn up if you have a Taxi Subsidy Card from our State Government. Just because it is half fare, that is discrimination as well

 

[Isis]

Frankly I am torn actually have a half fare card but quite understand why drivers don’t want to take less than they can get from a passenger paying full fare. They have to live.
This is on the government drivers should be able to claim the rest of the fare.

 

[Mr Chips]

Frankly I am torn actually have a half fare card but quite understand why drivers don’t want to take less than they can get from a passenger paying full fare. They have to live.
This is on the government drivers should be able to claim the rest of the fare.

They can and do.

 

[Mr Chips]

One other issue regarding Uber drivers (and I am in no way trying to protect them) is that they own the car themselves and is often the family vehicle. They therefore can be uncertain about having any animals in their own vehicle if they have personal issues with it. Maybe Uber should be able to make it known to their drivers when a booking is made so that there are no more sad events with animals.

 

[Parrot]

Does Ms Hobley not have the right to a carer OR even a Volunteer who can take Her and Her Guide Dog to appointments? It would help her to get there on time and less stressful.

 

[Winks]

I wonder if Uber CEO or whatever, is aware that drivers of Indian background are shit scared of dogs.

My son has ID & ASD. He lives in SIL & there has regular staff, however on occasions has needed shifts to be filled by others. There been a few support workers that have arrived, seen 2 dogs & have run away. The provider has not advised them that there are dogs on the premises.

 

[Winks]

I understand the woman's gripe and concern, but fear of animals, etc, is also a disability, so should it bar them from providing rides, the same problem exists with many delivery drivers, should it bar them from the job? Regardless of what the Law says, those with disabilities are not treated the same as able bodied.

Fear of animals is not a disability, it is a phobia.

 

[Winks]

My dog is an assistance dog due to a brain tumor (begn

i have found that just walking my assistance dog through my local shopping centre. Breaks my heart to see children dragged away from my beautiful kelpie.

Maybe it’s because people should not approach an assistance dog to pat them as it could distract them from their job. My son has ID & ASD & loves dogs, so I always ask first whether it is ok.