Session takes ideas for better handicapped access to ride-share services

There was an effort Tuesday to improve access to ride-sharing services for people with disabilities.

News 12 Staff

Dec 18, 2018, 11:42 PM

Updated 1,955 days ago

Share:

There was an effort Tuesday to improve access to ride-sharing services for people with disabilities.
Valerie Joseph says some ride-share drivers for services like Uber and Lyft are hesitant to help handicapped passengers.
"No one else has to put up with this kind of aggravation just to travel a few miles," she says.
On Tuesday, Joseph and others testified at a state-sponsored listening session about improving ride-share access for the handicapped.
Some popular ideas included more training for drivers and possibly even low-interest loans for drivers to equip cars with wheelchair lifts.
State Accessibility Task Force co-chair Marilyn Tucci, who is blind and uses a service dog, says helping the handicapped could be profitable for ride-share companies.
"I hope they are starting to realize a lot of blind people want to use them too," she says. "And people with service dogs want to use them."
In a statement to News 12, Uber says its drivers are expected to accommodate riders with service animals, as well as folding wheelchairs, "but we know there is more that can be done."
A Lyft spokesperson says it's working with the state committee and that, "We're...committed to enhancing the mobility options available for those in Long Island with disabilities."
Tuesday's listening session in Greenlawn was one of several across New York state on improving handicap access to ride-share services.
The committee hopes to finalize its recommendations on handicapped access to the ride-share companies and the state sometime next year.


More from News 12
2:17
South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

1:47
Cold start ahead of a beautiful, sunny afternoon for New Jersey

Cold start ahead of a beautiful, sunny afternoon for New Jersey

0:42
Former NJ national guardsman who set off large FBI manhunt pleads guilty to capitol riot charges

Former NJ national guardsman who set off large FBI manhunt pleads guilty to capitol riot charges

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:28
Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

0:33
Somerville man indicted in murder of high school classmate

Somerville man indicted in murder of high school classmate

2:28
Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

0:23
New York Giants add explosive receiving threat, taking Malik Nabers of LSU at No. 6 in NFL draft

New York Giants add explosive receiving threat, taking Malik Nabers of LSU at No. 6 in NFL draft

0:17
Jets trade down a spot, take Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11 in NFL draft

Jets trade down a spot, take Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11 in NFL draft

1:37
Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

1:00
The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

2:34
KIYC: NJ mayors call for tougher penalties for young criminals, but are juvenile crime stats increasing?

KIYC: NJ mayors call for tougher penalties for young criminals, but are juvenile crime stats increasing?

10:25
Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - April 25, 2024

Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - April 25, 2024

2:34
Airlines now required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled, delayed flights

Airlines now required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled, delayed flights

0:25
Police: Homeowner injured in fire at Marlboro home

Police: Homeowner injured in fire at Marlboro home

Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects

Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects

0:39
Jersey Proud: US Coast Guard lands helicopter at school for career day

Jersey Proud: US Coast Guard lands helicopter at school for career day

2:25
‘Goal: Zero’ aims to make New Jersey’s roadways safer for the community

‘Goal: Zero’ aims to make New Jersey’s roadways safer for the community

2:43
‘New York’s law is wrong.’ New Jersey remote workers appeal New York income tax rules

‘New York’s law is wrong.’ New Jersey remote workers appeal New York income tax rules