![]() Momma Glo by Culture:Subculture Photography licensed under Creative Commons. Vans and SUVs, which are easier for some disabled people to use, can be more expensive than sedans and have less efficient gas mileage. Vans and SUVs may need ramps and lifts, which can cost $10,000 or more. So why aren’t Uber and Lyft and other ride-hailing companies providing good service to disabled riders? The big issue is the cost. The longer wait time for the few vehicles that can accommodate mobility devices can negate any benefit of using the service. A recent report revealed that only 26% of attempts to hail wheelchair-accessible vehicles in New York were successful, while the success rate for finding non-accessible vehicles was 100%, according to the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. ![]() ![]() Sometimes drivers refuse to pick them up, and often they don’t provide service at all. This impacts a lot of people: about 31 million Americans have mobility-related disabilities.Īdvocates say that the companies discriminate against people with disabilities in various ways. Recently disability advocates sounded the alarm on Uber and Lyft, saying the services are “useless” for riders who use mobility devices and pointing out that there aren’t enough vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs and electric scooters. Uber and Lyft aren’t as useful for riders who use mobility devices Uber and Lyft are responding to criticisms with initiatives aimed at improving accessibility. Nonetheless, many disabled passengers and advocates believe ride-hailing services have a responsibility to offer the same level of service to them as they do to other riders. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not consider them to be public transit or taxi companies because it doesn't include a definition of transportation that would apply to ride-hailing. Ride-hailing companies say that they’re exempt from many of the same accessibility requirements as public transit because they’re tech, not transportation, companies. Uber and Lyft have gotten flack for not providing riders the same level of service if they have service animals or mobility devices - if they are served at all. Ride-hailing services have integrated themselves into our cities so completely that in just a few years, “Uber” has become a verb and spotting license plates from afar has become a valuable skill. Image by Jesse Acosta licensed under Creative Commons.
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