Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Discounted rides for the blind+ Uber questions (self.Blind)
submitted by GuitarGoodAt
Hello. First off, I’m a Reddit newb, so please bare with me, and guide me, should I break any etiquette. I recently used Uber for the first time, and found it to be a pretty positive experience, if not a bit pricey. Does anyone know if Uber, or perhaps Lyft works with the blind & visually impaired to give discounted rides?
Also; The time I used Uber was them picking me up at my house. Easy-peazy. But, how does someone with visual impairment use Uber safely getting picked from a public setting? I know the app tells you what car is picking you up, but I wouldn’t know a (insert car make/model) if it hit me, unless I get close enough to read the emblems on the car, which would be very awkward, given my impairment. Any ideas or insight are appreciated.
Also; The time I used Uber was them picking me up at my house. Easy-peazy. But, how does someone with visual impairment use Uber safely getting picked from a public setting? I know the app tells you what car is picking you up, but I wouldn’t know a (insert car make/model) if it hit me, unless I get close enough to read the emblems on the car, which would be very awkward, given my impairment. Any ideas or insight are appreciated.
WhatWouldVaderDo 2 points 3y ago
Yup, for every Uber trip, I message the driver when they are two-three minutes away and tell them that I'm blind so they will have to keep an eye out for me. I also verify the driver's name before getting in the car.
GuitarGoodAt [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Right on. I saw they have a PIN number system in the app too, where if the driver’s pin differs from yours, you’ll know not to ride with them.
For me, if the driver flashes their headlights at me, I’ll be able to find them. That’s assuming I’m even facing the front of their car, and it’s at least somewhat dark out. So, maybe if I can call them and have them sort of guide me to their car? I don’t know if that’s within the realm of a driver’s willingness. I imagine it would be though.
For me, if the driver flashes their headlights at me, I’ll be able to find them. That’s assuming I’m even facing the front of their car, and it’s at least somewhat dark out. So, maybe if I can call them and have them sort of guide me to their car? I don’t know if that’s within the realm of a driver’s willingness. I imagine it would be though.
retrolental_morose 2 points 3y ago
I've usually used Uber Assist, the driver generally calls or texts to line us up.
No price reductions that I'm aware of, but Uber are typically cheaper than UK taxicabs anyway, so no loss here.
No price reductions that I'm aware of, but Uber are typically cheaper than UK taxicabs anyway, so no loss here.
DrillInstructorJan 2 points 3y ago
Same here, use it constantly, they end up calling me. Sometimes there is a language barrier but it's usually OK after a bit.
I have had uber drivers try to refuse to take me on the basis that "oh I'm not set up for that," as if they had to be set up for anything. I argued. I won.
I have had uber drivers try to refuse to take me on the basis that "oh I'm not set up for that," as if they had to be set up for anything. I argued. I won.
GuitarGoodAt [OP] 1 points 3y ago
When you say you use Uber Assist, you’re referring to the accessibility option , within the existing Uber app, correct? When I go to “how to request an assist?“, In the app, it says the following. “There is no specific option for people requiring additional assistance in your city right at this moment. Uber recognizes the importance of being able to provide a reliable ride for everybody and we are working hard to expand our options to ensure that this is the case.“
Taking that at face value, I assume it means I am SOL, in my locale. So that’s slightly depressing. I thought I’d finally figured out something to assist in my adulting.
Taking that at face value, I assume it means I am SOL, in my locale. So that’s slightly depressing. I thought I’d finally figured out something to assist in my adulting.
retrolental_morose 1 points 3y ago
that's what I'm using. It shows as an extra journey type priced the same, and with the same capacity as the regular upto 4 seats option.
I believe the drivers have had some certified disability training or something. Have never had a problem in the 5 years or so I've ubered.
I believe the drivers have had some certified disability training or something. Have never had a problem in the 5 years or so I've ubered.
GuitarGoodAt [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Yeah, that’s what I gathered, about the special training, but it says that’s not available in my area yet. I’m guessing it means there are no specially trained drivers in my area. Another commenter said I can message, or call the driver via the app. That’d definitely be super helpful, once I figure that out.
jmosen 1 points 3y ago
You’ve already had some great advice here. I just have a couple of things to add as someone who uses Uber exclusively to get places. I am totally blind.
We have Uber Assist in our area. The only time I use that is when I might need assistance into a building I’ve never visited before. For example I had an appointment in an unfamiliar place yesterday so I used Uber Assist. The driver came into the building with me, helped me locate the elevator, pressed the button for the floor I needed and leapt out. Very useful.
Second, I have several pre-defined strings set up in my iPhones keyboard shortcuts. I have one that I get by simply typing the letters u b x without the spaces, short for Uber X. When I do that, the following message gets typed into the Uber app.
Hi, Just to let you know that I’m a blind person, carrying a white cane. So when you arrive, I won’t see you. If you could look out for me, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
I have never had this fail. Another one is specifically related to info about picking me up from my office, and another is for when I’m travelling with my wife, who uses a guide dog.
If you have trouble connecting when the car arrives, you can call the driver from in the app.
Finally, Aira, a service which has a free tier and offers trained sighted assistance for blind people, has Uber integration. I sometimes use this at a very busy place like an airport or concert venue where there are lots of Ubers around, to locate my specific vehicle.
Hope that helps.
We have Uber Assist in our area. The only time I use that is when I might need assistance into a building I’ve never visited before. For example I had an appointment in an unfamiliar place yesterday so I used Uber Assist. The driver came into the building with me, helped me locate the elevator, pressed the button for the floor I needed and leapt out. Very useful.
Second, I have several pre-defined strings set up in my iPhones keyboard shortcuts. I have one that I get by simply typing the letters u b x without the spaces, short for Uber X. When I do that, the following message gets typed into the Uber app.
Hi, Just to let you know that I’m a blind person, carrying a white cane. So when you arrive, I won’t see you. If you could look out for me, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
I have never had this fail. Another one is specifically related to info about picking me up from my office, and another is for when I’m travelling with my wife, who uses a guide dog.
If you have trouble connecting when the car arrives, you can call the driver from in the app.
Finally, Aira, a service which has a free tier and offers trained sighted assistance for blind people, has Uber integration. I sometimes use this at a very busy place like an airport or concert venue where there are lots of Ubers around, to locate my specific vehicle.
Hope that helps.
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
[deleted]
GuitarGoodAt [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Man.. I wish there were a way to just ask the driver to call me or whatever. No need for special training for that. (Since assist apparently isn’t available here)
Fange_Strellow 2 points 3y ago
Just use the app to message or call the driver.
GuitarGoodAt [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I used Uber again yesterday, and found the call feature. That’s a great tip. Thanks so much! And thanks to everyone who helped me out here.
GuitarGoodAt [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Oh.. well, shoot. I didn’t know that was possible. I’ll have to look into that. Thanks for the tip.
retrolental_morose 2 points 3y ago
indeed, you can always call or message from the screen showing your ride's ETA and details. It may help to have some text ready on your pasteboard, or some expansion strings set up in your keyboard settings, if you're trying to impart long texts in a time-critical situation. I don't know your typing speed on a screen and am not meaning to offend by implying you're slow necessarily.
GuitarGoodAt [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I can type fine, but I use speech to text a lot. I get self-conscious typing in front of people, as I have to hold my phone pretty close to my face. Having something I can copy and paste as a message is a good idea.
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