[zMann]

http://www.wired.com/2015/08/uber-disability/

 

[Tx rides]

This is a tough one. It is really a "niche market", and having dedicated resources to accommodate special needs can be costly if those resources are not booked on a steady basis. It is certainly an elephant in the room. Our company does not have a wheelchair accessible van, and it may be tough to load someone in some of our vehicles. If we know if the needs, in advance, we find a way to accommodate. I can count, on one hand, the number of requests and inquiries for special accommodations we have had in five years.

 

[merkurfan]

It's required there is one handicap van per some number of cabs in Minneapolis (not sure of the exact rule)

At some point I bet my market Forces uber to do the same thing. I can't wait because I know those vans WON'T sign up. I own one but it'll take them allowing me to not run X and at least 2 bucks a mile with deadhead miles covered..
So ya, I won't be running uber with my handicap van.

 

[RainbowPlate]

This is a tough one.

Tell that to every store, hotel, apartment complex, theater, etc., that has had to remodel their entrances, restrooms, aisles, etc., because of the ADA.

(And again: This is strictly Uberlyft's problem; drivers are NOT subject to the ADA and any driver deactivated over this can sue for employee status.)

 

[Tx rides]

Tell that to every store, hotel, apartment complex, theater, etc., that has had to remodel their entrances, restrooms, aisles, etc., because of the ADA.

(And again: This is strictly Uberlyft's problem; drivers are NOT subject to the ADA and any driver deactivated over this can sue for employee status.)

Agreed! It is the same problem for them. I have a friend who closed his bar because of the requirements to remodel. I am sensitive to the needs of people with special mobility requirements, but it takes a lot of money to provide these requirements, and if the demand does not bring an ROI, it can put one out of business. I do not consider that to be "the greater good" With my friend, it was not good enough for them to say "if someone needs special assistance, my staff will single-handedly assist them" the requirements were beyond what he could ever see in return.

When we make last minute reservations at hotels, often times the only rooms they have left open are the wheelchair accessible rooms. That is a good indicator of the slower demand.

 

[Another Uber Driver]

Uber Taxi in Washington has two accessible taxis, of which I am aware. There may be more. As far as I know, there are no UberX or Uber Black vehicles here that are accessible, but if I am mistaken, I would hope that a Washington Area Uber Black/UberX driver who does know could correct me.

 

[TwoFiddyMile]

This was one of the issues which used to keep me up at night when I still owned the cab company.
A disabled person would call and inquire and I'd freak that it was a Secret shopper from a law firm representing a special interest group.
Lucky for me, the big company in town operated The Ride in contract with the state and had dozens of lift vans.
I'd stay polite and offer my "partners number".
Having to purchase a Liberty van would have put me out of business.

 

[UberNorthStar]

i believe I could handle almost any person with a disability. The only rider I could not help is one who needs to be transported in a wheelchair.

 

[UberTaxPro]

This was one of the issues which used to keep me up at night when I still owned the cab company.
A disabled person would call and inquire and I'd freak that it was a Secret shopper from a law firm representing a special interest group.
Lucky for me, the big company in town operated The Ride in contract with the state and had dozens of lift vans.
I'd stay polite and offer my "partners number".
Having to purchase a Liberty van would have put me out of business.

I can relate! Disability, dogs, and child seat issues drove me nuts in the cab business. I had some Muslim drivers ( great drivers in every other way) who would refuse to pick up people with service dogs for religious reasons. Child seats are great but they take up space in the trunk needed for luggage. Your right, most disability issues can be worked out, even had a few wheelchairs when pax was accompanied by a helper.

 

[UberNorthStar]

I am an ongoing caregiver. Children seats? I dealt with those when the kids were tots. Dogs? I have seat belt harnesses for mine. I would the carry the harnesses in the trunk or under front seat.

My husband is a double amputee below the knee. I know how to transfer someone between wheelchair & car seat. If cost was not prohibitive, I would love to have access to a van that accommodates wheelchairs.

There are many disabled who do fine alone. Those are the ones who do not allow their disability to be a handicap.