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Episode 72 Resources: Emerging Transportation Options and the ADA

Contents

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/
  • Uber Service Animal/Pet Policy
    Source: Uber
    Link: help.uber.com/riders/article/riding-with-pets
  • Why is There a Braille Message on My E-Scooter?
    Source: SFGate
    Link: sfgate.com/news/article/Why-is-there-a-Braille-message-on-my-e-scooter-14377567.php

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
  • Access Living Statement on Uber ADA Vilations Lawsuit
    Download PDF, 1 page
    Source: Access Living (Chicago)
    Link: accessliving.org/index.php?download=173GPcfl93
  • 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, Lyft Sued Over Wheelchair Access
    Source: Special Needs Answers
    Link: specialneedsanswers.com/uber-lyft-sued-over-wheelchair-access-17146
  • 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/
  • Woman Says Ride-Share Drivers Repeatedly Canceled Trips over Service Dog
    Source: WSB-TV (Atlanta)
    Link: adasoutheast.org/news/articles.php?id=9085&idarea=General

Ride Sharing: Technology and Mobile Apps

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