Uber Assists Passengers with Disability

Online car booking service Uber Australia has launched a new service that can accommodate passengers with folding wheelchairs, walkers and collapsible scooters, following consultation with the Not for Profit sector.

Uber says the the service called uberASSIST is designed to provide additional assistance for people with different accessibility needs and its drivers will receive specific training on safety requirements for these passengers.

However, the new service does not use vehicles with accessible ramps or lifts.

“Uber is working hard to make it easier and more affordable for people to get around their city. With uberASSIST, our driver-partners are helping to extend that convenience to those with different accessibility needs,” Uber General Manager ANZ,  David Rohrsheim said.

“The uberASSIST training has been developed by the Open Doors Organisation (USA) and in consultation with the Australian Network on Disability (AND).”

The Australian Network on Disability has welcomed the uberASSIST service which it says will expand the transport options for many people with disability.

“It’s great to see Uber’s focus on drivers knowing how to say and do the right thing to welcome riders with disability,”  AND Chief Executive Suzanne Colbert said.

We are proud that Uber has joined the Australian Network on Disability alongside other great Australian organisations to welcome people with disability as riders and drivers.”

Passengers wanting to use the new service must include the code ASSISTAU when ordering an an UberASSIST car via the Uber app.