Let's get an Uber

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There has been MANY times where I have wanted to do things at the spare of the moment, and unfortunately those times I could not. Living a life with a physical disability comes with many challenges. One of these challenges, was not being able to make same day plans. This was because of the lack of accessible transportation, meaning taxi’s. There weren’t many taxi’s that were wheelchair accessible. Those that were, were extremely expensive and not in service after a certain time. And so, I had to make plans a day or two before in order to book accessible transportation, such as Access-A-Ride, in order to get to where ever I needed or wanted to be.

Don’t get me wrong, I am truly grateful to have Access-A-Ride, for it was absolutely useful during my time in college. It helped me set up a daily subscription service for specific days that I needed to get to class during each semester. So, it definitely benefited me during this time. Sadly, let’s say if I wanted to go out today, Access-A-Ride does not provide same day services. I am a young woman who enjoys a night out with the girls. I don’t feel that I have to PLAN ahead a time if I want to go out just because of my extra accessory. If I want to go out tonight, I should be able to just grab a cab and go, just as my friends do? Right?

A year ago, I took my first Uber. It was late, I was at Yankee Stadium, and I just wanted to get home. While waiting for the bus with my sister, she remembered that she had seen a new feature on her Uber app that read WAV. It was an accessible vehicle. We both thought, “let’s try and see, we still had to wait for the bus, so why not!” 20 minutes later the accessible Uber vehicle arrived! I was extremely excited! I thought that I could finally just go out on random, but that was not the case.

At the time, Uber’s WAV was just starting out, for this reason, Uber WAV would either take 20-30 minutes to arrive, depending where you’re coming from there weren’t many vehicles available, and these vehicles hold the wheelchair passengers in the back of the vehicle. Completely covering and excluded the wheelchair passengers. Although I was grateful that my community in New York had this opportunity, for it was a step up compared to not having any cabs at all. I felt there were improvements that needed to be made.

Recently, I was out, and I needed to get home. I did have my Access-A-Ride set up for the day, but I wasn’t sure on how long my appointment was going to be. As expected, I didn’t make it on time for Access-A-Ride. It was about to rain, where I decided “let me try calling an Uber.” See where I live in New York, accessible Uber vehicles aren’t really available, but to my surprise this one was.

It has been over a year since I’ve been on an Uber. For as I said, it has always been a bit difficult to get one. On this day, it was different. I was able to obtain one within minutes, and boy was this one an upgrade! To enter the vehicle, I entered by the side door, not only one wheelchair can enter, but two, and the able-bodied passengers are seated near me. I’m was neither covered nor isolated but included! And I absolutely loved it! During this trip my Uber driver LyRon, informed me that his company MV Transportation were new to Uber, and purchased their vehicles from BraunAbility. He stated that this feature of Uber is available to the disabled community in 8 other states. He also explained to me, that It’s been two months since they’re company started with Uber, and not many people with physical disabilities are aware of this new update.

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This does not surprise me, for I didn’t even know myself, not until my sister informed me about it. Many in my community are unaware of what is available to us. If we were, we’ll be out there utilizing it. So we need to enforce this! If we don’t, many companies such as Uber would think, “if it’s not being used, it’s a waste of money, let’s get rid of it!” We don’t want that, I don’t want that. This year I went on vacation to Miami Florida, and I was so surprise of the lack of accessibility there. I felt stuck, and dependent. Two feelings I am not accustom too!

As an advocate to my community, I will advise you to contact Uber, by any means necessary. Contact them, and enforce them to bring about this feature, for it is a must! We make up 15% of the United States, so why the hell not! I don’t understand how the world is so far behind when it comes to universal design. If things and places are accessible, not only would it be useful for the disabled community, but also to able-bodied community! If both the disabled and the abled-bodied community can utilize the universal designs of all things, then that is doing something right!

If it is not us fighting for what we need and believe that is necessary, who else would? So, I dare you all, try to bring forth accessible Uber vehicles to all 50 states! And when and how you do it, be proud of that! For you are not just doing it for you, but for all. Now, do you accept the challenge?

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