It can be difficult to get around town, even as an abled person. There are car payments and servicing bills, jams to contend with, unstable petrol prices, and aggressive fellow drivers. For those who don’t drive, public transport can be cramped or unreliable, or simply not as time-efficient as one would like. For persons with disabilities, personal limitations can stop them from driving on their own or taking public transport.
Fortunately, there are now solutions in the form of ride-hailing or ride-sharing services and apps. These services makes it easier to travel for work, health or leisure. Some popular ride-hailing or ride-sharing services include:
- EzCab
- Grab – the GrabSuperHeroes program helps senior citizens and PWD in the Klang Valley access transport safely and affordably.
- Mobiliti.org.my – a charitable organisation with PWD on their executive committee, operating a door-to-door transport service in the Klang Valley for wheelchair-bound users
- Uber – the app has partnered with the NCBM (National Council for the Blind, Malaysia) to help visually impaired passengers get rides more easily.
For PWD who are able to drive, ride-hailing or ride-sharing services also provide opportunities to make extra income. Uber has partnered with the MFD (Malaysian Federation of the Deaf) with their Projek Bebas Bergerak. Projek Bebas Bergerak helps deaf or hard-of-hearing drivers have a better experience earning income on their platform. PWD who enjoy driving can choose to drive for ride-hailing services as a way to earn primary or side income.
Ride-hailing and ride-sharing services give PWD the opportunity to support themselves independently, travel, and see more of their neighbourhood, town or state. Abled people can assist PWD on this front by supporting PWD drivers and advocating for a more accessible society. When it’s easier to get around, everyone benefits!