Finding Facilities for Wheelchair Users
Let’s face it – we take passenger calling apps like Uber for granted. In less than three minutes we can summon a ride with a few clicks on the phone. It looks like magic.
But for those in need of wheelchairs, scooters, or other devices that facilitate mobility, there has historically been a huge gap with regard to fair and equitable access to affordable transport. In 2018, disability advocates filed several lawsuits alleging that Uber has long discriminated against people in wheelchairs.
Lately (and probably in an attempt to address these issues) Uber has been expanding its affordable rides across the country, so the problem of finding a wheelchair-accessible vehicle has become less of a problem for disabled drivers.
However, according to John Morris, founder of WheelchairTravel.Org , the app is far from perfect, citing issues such as particularly long wait times. It is currently also limited to major cities (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, and Toronto) apart from, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, in general , any riders who do not live in the metropolis, although they plan to expand. to more cities, according to an email from an Uber representative.
Looking for an Uber in a city near you? Here are some tips for finding an affordable ride with minimal stress.
Uber-WAV enables mobile users to find available rides
If you have a wheelchair, scooter, or other device and want to call an Uber equipped with a mobile device, UberWAV is your answer. When UberWAV is used, drivers are matched with drivers (often third-party companies) with vehicles specially equipped for mobility assistance devices such as wheelchairs. The drivers are also certified in passenger service and safety , ensuring that they are trained to work with drivers with disabilities and with service animals.
It’s pretty straightforward to use, but it’s worth planning ahead. When you request a ride and are presented with vehicle options (Pool, UberX, Black, Black SUV), scroll right until you find the WAV option. If this is your first time using it, it will say “Learn how to request” and then “Confirm receipt”. It will ask you to unlock UberWAV with a code (provided to you via the app, which is a bit like jumping over an unnecessary obstacle) and you will be given access. You only need to do this once.
According to the Uber website , prices have also been adjusted so that passengers don’t pay more than passengers who ask for a typical UberX.
Plan your trip in advance
Latency is still an issue, Morris said, so you need to prepare ahead of time. “How many wheelchair taxis are out there and whether drivers are available when you need a ride — that is what affects ride accessibility and waiting times,” he said. “Booking in advance is the best course of action for wheelchair users.”
In this case, booking an UberWAV simply means planning your trip ahead of you. Uber has promised 15-minute wait times for its available rides (which is arguably a small commitment, given that typical wait times for Uber are around 3 minutes, according to a 2014 report ). However, you should consider a few extra wait minutes when requesting UberWAV.
Make sure your departure point is in the correct service area.
UberWAV can get tricky when you get out of service, Morris said. “In Houston, for example, UberWAV will take you to the airport, but you cannot start the UberWAV journey at [the airport],” he said. In other words, you may be dropped off at some location, but not picked up at the same location, simply because UberWAV does not cover that area as a departure point.
You will need to check your ride in advance in the app itself to make sure you can be picked up at the right place.
How to find other transport
If UberWAV isn’t offered in your city, there are a few things you can do to make your trip easier, according to Mobility International USA . First, you can consult with local disabled people’s organizations on how they can navigate the community (ask what types of public transportation they think are most reliable or if there is a private taxi company they regularly use). You should also check the timetable for available transportation in the area to know if transportation, such as a taxi from the airport, is available at any time of the day.
Lyft also has a list of available local dispatch services on their website in case you would like to rent a private ride (although you will likely have to book at least 24 hours in advance). If you contact support, you should ask how early you need to reserve so you don’t have to wait too long.