[mountainstate] question about a discrimination issue

[J Rayl]

Hi. This is a national issue, not a statewide issue, first of all. And ACB is well aware of these issues.
I would suggest getting permission to forward it to Sue Ammeter, Chair, of Advocacy Committee with copies to that committee.
Secondly, there are several issues with car rental companies, this not withstanding. Another is the issue of no dogs permitted or making people pay $100 to $200 to have them abaoard, and they are not exempting dog guides. 
I will bring it up at our next Advocacy meeting but incidents such as this do need to be documented. Usually, we resolve it as this one was, through use of ATMs, or however else it has been resolved but nevertheless, it is a real problem.
I understand both the car rental's side, and that of a blind person, however there does need to be some resolution.
And certainly a more speedy one than all that because sometimes, one needs a car within an hour, not days.

  From: donna brown 
  Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 5:14 AM
  To: mountainstate at acb.org 
  Subject: [mountainstate] question about a discrimination issue


  Good morning,
  Please take the time to read this message carefully from one of our members.  Please let us know if you or someone you know has experienced anything like
  this, and how was it resolved.  Thank you.  Donna
  Hi Donna:  We had an incident with Hertz rental car today.  They would not rent us a car.  A friend of ours was taking Jimmy to get a hand brake control
  put on our van.  Jimmy  wanted to rent a car to visit another friend while the van was being worked on at the garage.  Hertz policy is that the driver
  of the rental car must use their own personal credit card to rent the vehicle.  Our friend did not have a credit card.  Jimmy had our credit card but of
  course he could not drive the rental.  Jimmy also had enough cash for the deposit and the rental, but they would not accept the cash.  Jimmy tried to tell
  them that they were discriminating against him because of his blindness.  The owner of the Hertz would not make an exception to the rule.
  However, I called Enterprise and they told me that they had the same policy.  When I explained the situation to them, they very graciously agreed to make
  an exception to the rule and let Jimmy use his credit card to rent the car.
  We think this policy needs to be changed for blind people.  Have you ever had this situation before?  We are sure that other blind people might need someone
  to drive a rental car for them.
  I did call the toll free number for the American Disabilities Act and they are going to mail us a form to complete about the incident.  Jimmy is considering
  calling the Hertz National Office.  Or maybe we should write them a letter also.
  Is this an issue for the legislative committee?  Do you have any words of wisdom?
  Thanks for your help.

  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13


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Jessie L. Rayl, MA, LPC, ALPS
P304-262-8020
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EM: eaglewings at wvdsl.net
604 Wilson Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401

HAVE A BLESSED AND ENRICHED DAY!
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