Transportation Service Company Accessibility Policies
Lyft Wheelchair Policy Lyft’s policy is that passengers who use wheelchairs that can safely and securely fit in the car’s trunk or backseat without obstructing the driver’s view should be reasonably accommodated by drivers on the Lyft platform. There is also captioned instructional video and a list of tips for drivers on how to accommodate passengers who use wheelchairs or have visual or hearing disabilities. Source: Lyft Link: help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/articles/115012926827-Wheelchair-Policy
Lyft Service Animal Policy Includes information on the rights and responsibilities of Lyft drivers as well as passengers with disabilities when traveling with a service animal. Source: Lyft Link: help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013080048
Uber Accessibility Policy Information on Uber services and policies for people with hearing, vision and mobility disabilities. Source: Uber Link: accessibility.uber.com/
Uber and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles In selected cities, Uber is using technology to make transportation more accessible and reliable for riders with mobility disabilities, including through WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicles). UberWAV lets riders who use non-folding, motorized wheelchairs to connect with drivers in wheelchair accessible vehicles that are equipped with ramps or lifts. Uber is using several uberWAV models in cities around the world (e.g. in New York, London, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Bangalore, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Toronto) to determine which wheelchair accessible vehicle options best meet the needs of its riders and driver-partners. Source: Uber Link: www.uber.com/newsroom/improved-experience-riders-wheelchairs/
News about ADA Lawsuits Against Transportation Services
Flattening Inaccessibility – How COVID-19 Has Made Transportation Issues Even More Challenging for People with Vision Loss Two blog posts look at a national survey conducted by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people with vision loss. Part 1 focuses on challenges. Part 2 looks at issues and solutions. Part 1: nadtc.org/news/blog/flattening-inaccessibility-part-1 Part 2: nadtc.org/news/blog/flattening-inaccessibility-part-2 More information: Flatten Inaccessibility Webpage Link: flatteninaccessibility.com Source: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
Lyft, Inc Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice Resolution of allegations that drivers for a nationwide demand-responsive transportation company denied people with disabilities rides if they had a mobility device or treated them poorly on account of their disability. (June 22, 2020) Source: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Link: ada.gov/lyft_sa.html
Court Rules Lawsuit Against Uber for ADA Violations Can Continue The lawsuit, filed by Access Living and three individuals with disabilities who use motorized wheelchairs, alleges that the ADA requires Uber to provide wheelchair accessible service as part of its transportation business. (December 20, 2018) Source: Access Living (Chicago) Link: www.accessliving.org/Uber-ADA-Lawsuit-Continues
Lyft’s Response to ADA Lawsuit: Sorry, We’re “Not in the Transportation Business” In a federal class-action lawsuit filed in Westchester County, New York, the company claims that it is merely a tech company and not subject to the ADA. (May 3, 2019) Source: Fast Company Link: fastcompany.com/90343921/lyft-claims-its-not-a-transportation-company-to-avoid-ada-compliance
Lyft Sued for Illegally Excluding Bay Area Wheelchair-Users Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) filed a class action lawsuit against Lyft, challenging its failure to make its popular, on-demand ridesharing service available to people who need wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the Bay Area. (March 20, 2019) Source: Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) Link: dralegal.org/press/lyft-sued-for-illegally-excluding-bay-area-wheelchair-users/
Ride-Hailing Revolution Leaves Some People with Disabilities Behind A transcript of an on-air interview with consumers and disability advocates. Source: National Public Radio (NPR) Link: npr.org/2019/08/21/753034337/ride-hailing-revolution-leaves-some-people-with-disabilities-behind
Uber and New York City Reach Settlement on Wheelchair Accessibility New York City has settled a suit with Uber, Lyft and Via over requirements that it provide more service to people in wheelchairs. (June 13, 2018) Source: Politico Link: politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2018/06/13/new-york-city-and-uber-reach-settlement-on-wheelchair-accessibility-466459
Uber Promises More Timely Accessible Rides A new business model by ride-hailing company Uber means quicker pickup times for passengers in wheelchairs in several U.S. cities. (November 27, 2018) Source: Disability Scoop Link: adasoutheast.org/news/articles.php?id=8857&idarea=General
Uber Sued for Discriminating Against Wheelchair-Users DRA and co-counsel Carlson Lynch filed a class action lawsuit against Uber, challenging its failure to make wheelchair-accessible vehicles available through its popular, on-demand ridesharing service in the Pittsburgh area. (June 11, 2019) Source: Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) Link: dralegal.org/press/uber-sued-for-discriminating-against-wheelchair-users/
Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 These guidelines require telecommunications products and services (such as cell phone apps) to be accessible to people with disabilities to the extent access is “readily achievable,” meaning easily accomplishable, without much difficulty or expense. Source: U.S. Access Board Link: access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-telecommunications-act-guidelines
For Disabled Travelers, Technology Helps Smooth the Way. But Not All of It. Technology is fast changing how people with disabilities get to and then navigate airports, train and bus stations. But technology can go only so far: Its advantages usually stop at the door of the plane, train or bus. Source: New York Times Link: adasoutheast.org/news/articles.php?id=8759&idarea=General
Greyhound Website and Mobile App to Become More Accessible to Blind Users Greyhound bus service has committed to make its website (www.greyhound.com) and mobile apps more accessible to blind passengers who use screen-reader software to access these services. (July 19, 2018) Source: National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Link: adasoutheast.org/news/articles.php?id=8775&idarea=General
Lyft Partners with Autonomous Company and NFB to Provide Rides to Blind and Partially Sighted Passengers Lyft announced it will partner with autonomous vehicle (AV) company Aptiv and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) to provide self-driven rides to blind and low-vision passengers as part of its Las Vegas [Nevada] pilot program. (July 2019) Source: Cool Blind Tech Link: adasoutheast.org/news/articles.php?id=9101&idarea=General
Resources to Develop Accessible Rideshare Services
At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities A free, self-paced webcourse for discovering the best practices for effectively working and interacting with people who have disabilities. The course takes about 2.5 hours to complete and includes real life scenarios, quizzes and a final exam. Education credit is available. Source: Southeast ADA Center Link: www.wiawebcourse.org
Every Ride Counts Campaign Promotes Local Transportation This comprehensive publicity campaign promote the availability and accessibility of transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in communities around the country. Campaign resources include sharable advertising materials, videos, social media, webinars, and more. Source: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) Link: www.nadtc.org/everyridecounts/
Open Doors Organization (ODO) Focused on the fields of hospitality and transportation, this organization conducts market research, disability awareness training, educational seminars, and diversity programs that improve the quality of life for the individual with a disability while opening doors to businesses and society. Source: Open Doors Organization (ODO) Link: opendoorsnfp.org
