Contrast
Text

Unapologetically Blind

Category: The Tails of Crew

Yes, it is supposed to be tails rather than tales…. get it yet?

  • Crew Talks Service Dogs & Uber / LYft

    Crew Talks Service Dogs & Uber / LYft

    Hi Guys! It’s your very fluffy boy, CREW!

    I’m off duty today, and I really needed to talk to you all about something super important that happens right here at home. My mom has been quite upset lately because of all the Uber and Lyft drivers in Edmonton who refuse to transport her and my sister. And honestly, I totally get why she’s upset, because the same thing happens to my dad and me on a disappointingly regular basis. It’s frustrating for my whole family!

    So, let’s have a real chat and truly understand the problem.

    I’m Not a Pet, I’m a Professional!

    I’m not wearing it right now (gotta air out the fluff!), but I am a very proud professional. I am what you call a guide dog. I usually wear a special harness, which you’ll see later. My job is to guide my dad around all the obstacles, tell him where steps and curbs are, and make sure he doesn’t walk into anything. I take my job very… well… mostly seriously.

    Sometimes Dad is running late, or it’s dangerously cold, or it’s just easier to take a ride, so he books a Lyft or Uber. He tells me his paws get anxious every time because drivers constantly try to refuse us.

    Dad says that in Alberta, it is illegal to refuse access to a service dog or guide dog. He’s also told me that right here in the City of Edmonton, it’s against the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw. I don’t fully understand all the legalese, but I understand that refusing us is wrong, and there are serious consequences. I’ve also heard him and Mom talking about how it’s strictly against Uber and Lyft policies to refuse access to any of us service dogs.Allergies & Fears: Let’s Get Real

    Allergies

    Now, I understand that some of you might be allergic to dogs. I totally get that. (Though, I’m slightly offended you’re scared of me—I mean, look at this fluff!) In all seriousness, if you are truly allergic, I can only tell you what the City of Edmonton requires: proof.

    You must provide the City of Edmonton’s Vehicle for Hire team with a valid, documented doctor’s note stating your allergy. If you have this documentation, here is the proper protocol:

    1. Upon arrival, if you see me or a dog like me, please immediately let my dad (or the other handler) know that you have a documented allergy.
    2. Put us back in the system to be dispatched to a different vehicle.
    3. Please stay with us until the other vehicle arrives. This ensures our safety and ensures that you do not face any repercussions for a refusal that is legally allowed only with proper documentation.

    Fears

    Your fear is valid; don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. I hear you, I respect you. But your fear of me is not a legal ground for refusing me service. I know you probably don’t know about all the intense training I’ve had, so let me tell you about what it takes to be this level of professional.

    My Resume: The Making of a Guide Dog

    I’m a guide dog, which means my journey started at the kennels of the amazing program that trained me (shout out to Guiding Eyes For The Blind!). After about two to three months, I went to my foster home. They made sure I was fully housebroken and went through rigorous obedience training. When you’re a service dog, there is no room for aggression.

    I then had to pass a really tough exam called the Public Access Test (some places call it Canine Good Citizen Testing). Passing this means I have proven I behave in a manner that is acceptable to access public spaces where regular pets are not allowed. At this point, I officially became a service dog.

    • Quick Fact: “Service dog” is the general term for any of us who are trained to perform a specific task to help a person with a disability. All guide dogs are service dogs, but not all service dogs are guide dogs. Once I’m a service dog and no longer a pet, it becomes even more illegal to refuse me!

    How to Tell If We Are Legit

    Now, I know you’re asking, “What do I do if I can’t tell if it’s a service dog, or if I suspect the handler is fibbing?” You’ll be happy to know that:

    1. It is illegal to claim you are disabled when you are not.
    2. You are only permitted to ask two specific questions to verify a service dog team.

    Question 1: Is that a service dog?

    If they answer yes, and you are still unsure, you can ask the next question.

    Question 2: What task is the dog trained to perform? (or “What task does the dog perform to assist you with your disability?” or “How does your dog assist you?”)

    These questions are all essentially the same and allow for your own wording. These are the only questions you are legally permitted to ask. This rule is pretty much North America-wide.

    If you drive in Canada, some provinces require service dogs to have ID cards, and you can ask for this proof. Just remember that not every team has these ID cards, as they may not be a resident of that specific province.

    My Final Plea to Drivers

    To every Uber, Lyft, and Taxi driver: All I ask is that you please do not call or consider me a pet.

    I am a service dog, and I have protected rights. I am permitted to go anywhere the general public is permitted. If you are driving your own car but providing a public service like rideshare, I am permitted to travel with my dad unless you have that documented allergy.

    I implore you: please take the mandatory training from the City of Edmonton and really read the Uber and Lyft policies. This will help you avoid being ticketed or having to go to court. This is a very real thing, and Dad and I have already had to go to court multiple times because of ride refusals.

    Nobody wants to go to court! It means a loss of money for everyone, and it could negatively impact your ability to drive.

    I know most of you are wonderful people, but for the few who want to refuse me, please don’t. I am a service dog; I am the equal of a person’s walker, crutches, cane, or oxygen tank. If you would not refuse a set of crutches, you cannot refuse me, either.

    Love,

    CREW (The Fluffiest Professional)

  • 🐾 Rideshare Refusal: A Service Dog Team’s Ordeal

    🐾 Rideshare Refusal: A Service Dog Team’s Ordeal

    PART 1

    ⚠️ Notice: Case Pending

    This account is generalized and sanitized, as the case is currently before the courts. To respect the rule of law, due process, and the presumption of innocence, there are no identifying references to the operator, the company, or specific violations/charges.

    Definitions

    • VFH (Vehicle For Hire): Any classified rideshare service, including but not limited to Lyft, Uber, and taxi services.
    • Operator: The driver of a VFH service.

    The Situation

    The year 2024 started with bitter cold, made worse by a distressing encounter with a VFH Operator. On a Saturday morning, while preparing for the guide dog’s annual vet check-up, the Operator refused service.

    It was dangerously cold, making a quick, warm ride essential. The priority was the safety of the guide dog (“the yellow boy”), who was wearing his standard-issue harness from Guiding Eyes For The Blind.

    When the car arrived, the Operator immediately yelled from the window that he would not accommodate us and the dog. The most frustrating part was that he drove off without giving an opportunity to explain that this was a guide dog and that service was legally obligated.

    Filing a Complaint

    My municipality has bylaws protecting VFH passengers, which required calling the municipal services center to file a formal complaint.

    1. A bylaw officer contacted me to begin the investigation.
    2. I then completed a formal witness statement.
    3. The officer began investigating, contacting the VFH provider and the Operator.
    4. Following the evidence review, the bylaw officer issued a fine under the VFH bylaw.

    Like all municipal fines, the recipient (the Operator) can either pay the fine and accept guilt or contest it in court. Unfortunately, the Operator chose to take the matter to court.

    The Legal Proceeding

    If you receive an email from the municipal crown prosecutor’s office, open it immediately, view all attachments, and acknowledge receipt. These documents will include your witness statement and a summons to court. As you are the Crown’s witness, you do not require legal counsel; the Crown will represent you.

    If you receive a summons, attending court is your priority. The only acceptable excuses for non-attendance are hospitalization, incarceration, or death. You must attend.

    • Adjournment: If the accused contests the charge, the case may be adjourned to a later date. You are obligated to attend this next date as well. A different Justice of the Peace (JP) may preside, though they may reserve the case for themselves.
    • Continuance: Another possibility is a continuance, where procedural requirements delay the case. My case is currently dealing with a continuance, pushing the hearing out by another six months.

    Following the case’s completion, the accused (defendant) will either be found guilty and required to pay the fine and any court-deemed charges, or found innocent, resulting in no payment.

    Unfortunately, my case is taking two years and five months to complete. This delay is stressful, not only due to the high-tension court environment but also because of the emotional toll of dealing with the accused’s statements.

    Conclusion

    As the case is still before the JP, I cannot provide further details. I plan to follow up on this post immediately after the expected completion on May 13, 2026. This follow-up will share the decision, provided no further legal action is taken against the accused. I desire to share the decision, as I believe it could be a precedent-setting case if it is decided in my favor.

    Would you like me to look up the federal or state/provincial laws regarding service animal access to public transportation or VFH services in your area?

  • Woof woof, hey fur-friends and humans! It’s Crew here, your favorite fluffy yellow guide dog!

    Woof woof, hey fur-friends and humans! It’s Crew here, your favorite fluffy yellow guide dog!

    Dad says he’s been yappin’ with people about why I sometimes gotta stay home when it’s really chilly. Like, bone-chilling, nose-freezing, -30C (that’s -22F for my awesome American pals!) cold. So, lemme give you the scoop from a dog’s-eye view.

    Boots? More Like BOO-ts!

    Okay, seriously, am I the only doggo who HATES boots? I gotta feel the ground beneath my paws! Is that too much to ask? Dad says when it’s this cold, my precious paw-pads need protection so they don’t turn into ice cubes. I do kinda like those balloon boots, ya know, the rubbery ones. They’re fun to chew on… I mean, walk in. But Dad says even with baby socks (which are surprisingly comfy), they’re not enough for the super-cold days. Rats!

    Crew’s Day Off (Kinda)

    So, if I can’t wear my super-duper-warm boots (which I don’t have ’cause I hate ’em), and it’s colder than a polar bear’s toenails, guess what? It’s Crew’s day off! Woo hoo! I get to chillax at home, snuggling with my kitty pals and my big sis (she’s the best!). It’s paw-some! But, and this is a BIG but, it’s also kinda boring. I miss all the action! Dad says he’s on something called a “strike” right now. I don’t get it. I just wanna go to the school and see my human friends! I miss my people! Plus, everyone’s all stressed out about stuff. So, I guess a day off helps my little yellow brain decompress.

    A Paw-some Lesson for My Furry Friends

    Listen up, pups! If your human says you gotta stay home, they’re probably just lookin’ out for your fluffy little self. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they just wanna give you a break (which is the best!). But on cold days, it’s ’cause they love your little toe beans and don’t want ’em to freeze. And if you’re like me and you’re not a boot fan, make sure your human knows! They want your paws to be happy and warm!

    Okay, that’s all from me for now. Gotta go nap. Crew out! Woof!

  • Service Dog Ride Refusal: A Frustrating Reality

    Service Dog Ride Refusal: A Frustrating Reality

    Many people are aware of the high rate of ride refusals experienced by service dog handlers using ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. I recently experienced this firsthand, and I want to share my story to illustrate the impact these refusals have. This incident occurred on January 31, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, where the temperature was a frigid -20C with blowing snow.

    I was leaving my union office, where I’ve been working temporarily during a school board support staff strike. Given the harsh weather and poor sidewalk conditions, I decided to book a ride instead of walking. Unfortunately, what should have been a simple ride home turned into a frustrating and disheartening experience.

    I was initially matched with a driver named Fateh. Upon arrival, he refused to transport me and my guide dog, claiming a “no dogs allowed” policy. He then proceeded to spread misinformation about Lyft’s policies, his supposed lack of English proficiency, and other excuses. When I attempted to show him my service dog identification card, which clearly outlines his legal obligations under provincial law, he drove away.

    The Impact of Refusal

    This refusal had a ripple effect. My guide dog sensed my distress, experiencing the same negative emotions without understanding or being able to alleviate the situation. The dog was also exposed to the increasingly cold and uncomfortable weather. Passersby witnessed the incident with visible confusion and a sense of helplessness.

    Personally, I experienced a range of emotions. Initially, I felt irritation at having to constantly defend my legal rights. This quickly escalated to anger—anger at the repeated refusals, the powerlessness to prevent them, and the fact that I was now stranded due to someone’s ignorance. Finally, I felt a sense of utter frustration and despair. What’s the point of fighting for change, I wondered? What’s the point of having legal protections if they aren’t enforced?

    The Aftermath

    This experience ruined the start of my weekend. It left me feeling psychologically drained, frustrated, and demoralized. Beyond filing complaints with Lyft (and receiving a paltry $10 credit for the inconvenience), I now face the added burden of filing a complaint with 311 for bylaw enforcement, a process that could involve a lengthy investigation and even a court appearance.

    The larger question remains: what will it take to create real change? What needs to happen for these companies and their drivers to respect the law and the rights of service dog handlers? I’m exhausted, frustrated, and frankly, sick of this constant struggle.