Sarah Maculans is a visually impaired university student and advocate. She faces this challenge every day, as Uber drivers will regularly cancel her rides when they learn that her guide dog Sunny will be accompanying her. Maculans characterizes Sunny as an “integral” part of her life. At the center of all the action and violence is Steven Yeun’s character, who is her guide, companion and protector, filling the story with tenderness and patience.
For her, Sunny has become an essential driver of her independence. Maculans has been met by numerous drivers refusing her service. She remembers a particularly infuriating instance when a driver claimed Sunny was just a pet on board. This ultimately led her to feel invalidated and unsupported.
Impact on Independence
Maculans notes with grave concern the toll that these refusals have taken on her freedom and agency. “These refusals have chipped away at my independence,” she remarked. She relies on a cane in addition to Sunny, but emphasizes that “my cane is an object finder, not an object avoider.” This emphasizes the limitations that even standard cane use brings to navigating the world, particularly when access to transportation is limited.
Through her daily routine, she expresses her dedication to nurturing Sunny. In an effort to control his shedding, she brushes him out every day. “I get it, he moults. I brush him every day,” she said. This dedication makes clear just how deep the bond goes between Maculans and her guide dog. Their relationship is more than just functional, it is rich with friendship and support.
A new survey supports Maculans’ experiences. This story uncovers that the majority of assistance dog users have been refused service by taxi or rideshare drivers, even after their ride was accepted. On top of that, 40 percent of assistance dog users said they had avoided going to public places. They said it was often difficult for them to arrange rides.
Calls for Change
From her personal experiences, Maculans has become an outspoken advocate for educating drivers. She similarly advocates for harsher punishments for people who deny service to people with assistance animals. She thinks that mandatory training is one way that guidance wouldn’t leave drivers in the dark about assistance dog users’ rights. Such training would help create a more inclusive, welcoming environment.
Uber has already moved to address some of these reports and alarming concerns. A company spokesperson shared that drivers who decline rides need to complete a knowledge test with 100% accuracy in order to get their ability to accept rides back. This common sense measure is a step to make sure drivers are adequately informed of their duty to keep passengers with disabilities safe.
Even federal transport minister Catherine King has recognised the urgency for reform. She has announced her intention to change the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. She stated, “This includes new requirements for training public transport staff to better meet the needs of people with disability and to ensure staff are aware of their specific roles and responsibilities.”
Legal Action and Future Implications
Paula Hobley, represented by Maurice Blackburn, has filed a test case against Uber in the Federal Court. If victorious, this suit could potentially establish a milestone precedent nationally. The outcome may influence how rideshare companies handle service refusals related to assistance animals and could lead to further legislative changes aimed at improving accessibility.
As Maculans navigates her university life and daily challenges with Sunny, she remains hopeful that awareness and policy changes will alleviate some of the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities.
“He’s not just my eyes … he’s my comfort. He’s my safety.” – Sarah Maculans
