Sf Chronicle Letter to the Editor: Rideshare Access for Everyone

There is lots of controversy around ride-sharing and disability lately. We decided to weigh in:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, SF CHRONICLE (Published May 5, 2016)

Re: "Uber allows guide dogs after suit by blind passengers" (Chronicle 5/2)

Now that Uber has agreed to pick up blind passengers with guide dogs, my hope is that they will step up efforts to accommodate all passengers with disabilities.

Uber’s headquarters is two blocks from The Arc San Francisco, a resource for over 700 clients with developmental disabilities, many of whom use power chairs and mobility supports to get to and from work, classes and home.

From tech workers to seniors to young adults, the disability community wants equal access to ride-sharing services. In San Francisco, recent tests show consistently zero UberWAV cars available for riders with power wheelchairs. There are slightly more UberASSIST cars on the road to serve riders with walkers and folding wheelchairs, but wait times are too long.

One in five Americans have a disability, with over $220 billion in discretionary spending power. San Francisco is ground zero for disability advocacy. I’d like to suggest that Uber planners meet with the disability community and hear first-hand how services can be improved. With our disability transit experience combined with Uber’s innovation, we can be the first city in the world to fully accommodate all riders with the push of a button.  -Kristen Pedersen, The Arc San Francisco

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From tech workers to seniors to young adults, the disability community wants equal access to ride-sharing services.