With our launch of uberASSIST today, we’re also excited to announce a new partnership with AGE-WELL (Aging Gracefully across Environments using Technology to Support Wellness, Engagement and Long Life Inc.).

AGE-WELL is a national research network in technology and aging whose aim is to help older Canadians to maintain their independence, health and quality of life through accessible technologies that increase their safety and security, support their independent living, and enhance their social participation.

Launched in 2015 through the federally funded Networks of Centres of Excellence program, AGE-WELL explores a wide range of complex issues in technology and aging. Its work is informed by meaningful consultation with the people who stand to benefit: older people and their caregivers. AGE-WELL seeks to make Canada a world leader in the field by encouraging collaborative research across a wide range of disciplines, by creating new training programs for the next generation of researchers, by sharing knowledge throughout the network and with community stakeholders and by building partnerships with private enterprise to foster the commercial development of new technologies.

In the weeks leading up to our uberASSIST launch, AGE-WELL played an important role in our driver-partner education sessions by being part of our Accessibility Advisory Committee and providing a licensed Occupational Therapist to help develop instructional material. These sessions are integral to the success of uberASSIST, helping ensure that our partners are capable of assisting a breadth of different riders in a variety of different situations.

With AGE-WELL’s guidance, the uberASSIST launch is only the beginning of our journey to improve the lives of older adults through technology. What’s more, we’ve also committed to funding an academic scholarship around the theme of aging and transportation through AGE-WELL. We’ll continue to work with AGE-WELL as they provide feedback on uberASSIST and other products that help provide reliable transportation for all Torontonians.

“The mandate of AGE-WELL is to develop innovative and cutting-edge social and technological solutions to support older adults and caregivers to age well.  Our partnership with Uber around their new uberASSIST program provides a great opportunity for us to share our experience of working with older adults and caregivers to develop services that are responsive to their needs and preferences. Transportation can pose a significant challenge to seniors and it is critical that drivers deliver this service effectively. We look forward to being part of the new solutions in this area.“ – Dr. Alex Mihailidis, Scientific Director, AGE-WELL

“We know that people with accessibility needs face a wide-variety of issues accessing on-demand transportation in Toronto and we’re proud to be part of the solution. AGE-WELL played an important role in helping us take this next step towards improving the mobility and freedom of older adults in Toronto with uberASSIST. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with them as uberASSIST and other accessibility products continue to evolve.” – Ian Black, General Manager, Uber Canada