A blind woman from Raleigh, North Carolina, has criticized Uber after claiming that a negligent driver dropped her off at the wrong address, leaving her feeling “helpless.”
Kamille Richardson, who has been blind since birth, takes pleasure in her independence and ability to navigate the city alone. However, she stated that the claimed encounter in May had permanently altered her feelings.
Richardson previously told WRAL about what happened during the ride, and he intended to drop her off at a local Verizon store so she could buy a new phone. “I say, ‘This is not the right place,’ and he says, ‘Well, I have somebody I have to pick up at the airport,’ and he takes off and runs away.”
Richardson asserted that they transported her to an apartment complex more than a mile north of her original location.
At a press conference on Tuesday, July 9, Richardson and her attorney demanded a public apology from Uber for the incident, according to WRAL.
“I’ve felt reluctant ever since this happened. “It took me a month [after the incident] to travel alone using any ridesharing service,” Richardson explained. I refuse to travel by myself. And that’s never been me… but I simply lost faith in the whole process.”
Richardson further stated that the driver should no longer work for Uber.
When reached, an Uber spokeswoman issued a statement to PEOPLE saying, “We apologize for Ms. Richardson’s stressful experience.” We looked into the issue and found that a map error led the driver to the wrong drop-off location, which we have now fixed.
“Our goal is to create a platform that supports people’s ability to easily move around their communities,” the announcement went on to say, “and we’re committed to building features, and working with experts to make the Uber platform more accessible.”
The corporation also stated that it had contacted Richardson, investigated the situation, and taken action. Uber also stated that it has recently released capabilities to assist in safe Uber rides for community members with impairments.
Aviance Brown, Richardson’s attorney, stated that she had contacted the ridesharing firm for the last two months but had not received a response.
Brown also labeled Richardson’s experience as “discrimination” because of her impairment, according to CBS station WNCN, adding, “This would not have happened if Ms. Richardson had been able to see where she was being taken.”
Richardson previously characterized her trip experience to WRAL as “one of the scariest things I’ve ever been through.” She is now demanding that Uber undertake sensitivity training and build measures to prevent repeat events.