The Uber Disability Coalition

Over the last six years, Uber Boston has helped create hundreds of new opportunities for riders and driver partners with disabilities. In September 2015, we launched UberWAV in Boston to help connect riders who need a wheelchair accessible option with a ride at the tap of a button. Today, we have facilitated thousands of rides for the paratransit community through our partnership with the MBTA.

Uber’s Disability Coalition was formed in early 2016, in partnership with the Disability Law Center, the Disability Policy Consortium and the Boston Center for Independent Living. Throughout that time, we have worked with leaders from the disability community across Boston and Greater Massachusetts to learn and think creatively about ways Uber can continue to expand transportation options for all. The Disability Coalition is a vital partner as we continually strive to improve the service to meet the needs of this community.

As we look to the future, Uber Boston is excited about the increased mobility and freedom our technology has afforded both riders and drivers with accessibility needs. We’re proud to have partnered with accessibility advocates and leaders to introduce product innovations that facilitate greater economic opportunity for deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers, as well as features to accommodate the blind and low vision community. Most recently, we launched Uber Sign Language, a website teaching riders simple phrases in American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with their deaf or hard of hearing drivers.

The Uber app is built to expand access to transportation options for all, including people with disabilities. We are honored to be working with leaders in the Massachusetts disability community to use our technology and innovation to help bring more transportation options to more people.

– Chris Griffin, Executive Director, Disability Law Center