Jeremy McClure Jeremy is a four-time triathlon and long-distance swimming Paralympian hero known for his feats. Recently, he had to deal with a heartbreaking problem when trying to get from his house to Perth. He booked an Uber ride to the nearest train station, Rockingham. A few days later they plan to take the short trip to visit both of their parents. As readers know, this perfect storm immediately turned into a catastrophe. For two hours straight, he was denied service over and over again due to his guide dog companion, Nina.
Since the age of 14, McClure has fought a genetic disorder that has stripped him of 98 percent of his sight. He depends on Nina to guide him through his day to day tasks. This incident served as a reminder of the everyday challenges that people with disabilities endure when seeking transportation.
A Series of Refusals
At the time of ordering that first Uber, McClure faced instant rejection as soon as the driver spotted Nina. The driver claimed McClure should have ordered an Uber Pet service instead.
“No, sorry, you didn’t book Uber Pet,” the driver told McClure.
This was not a one-time occurrence, the same denial happened with the second Uber driver. Frustrated and afraid of being discriminated against, McClure tried to get another ride. The situation had indeed gotten out of hand. The third driver, however, accosted Nina and demanded McClure exit the car at a local police station.
Recalling the dramatic series of refusals, McClure said that experience left her feeling demoralized and ashamed. He shared the emotional impact that experiences like this have on people with disabilities.
“It’s humiliating, it’s embarrassing. I was refused on many occasions, and it makes you feel like you’re nothing,” said fellow advocate Martin Stewart.
Police Intervention
The dispute escalated to serious matter before a police officer stepped in and advocated for McClure. The officer physically yanked the driver from the car. Then, he communicated with the Uber driver on speakerphone to get things sorted right away. This critical intervention saved McClure from being treated like a piece of property rather than a human being and afforded him the support he needed.
McClure’s Uber account was permanently deactivated after the incident. This only deepened his frustration as he tried to navigate the fallout from what was already a difficult experience.
“There should be penalties for people like this too,” McClure stated, emphasizing the need for accountability regarding discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Legal Implications and Advocacy
The incident has sparked wider conversations about the legal protections afforded to Australians with disabilities, or lack thereof. Champions of the laws such as Martin Stewart have raised concerns that, even as written, the laws are insufficiently robust to deter discrimination.
“Unfortunately, in this area, the law is not strong enough to be respected,” Stewart noted, highlighting the challenges individuals face when seeking justice after such incidents.
Stewart went on to say that conciliation hearings need a meeting of the minds. If one isn’t, people have to go the court route, which is expensive and fraught. The law offers little support for victims who have been harmed in such a manner.
