UberAssist's arrival in Ottawa greeted with praise, concerns

The launch of a new service by ride-hailing company Uber intended for riders with mobility issuesis being greeted in Ottawa with both plaudits and a few concerns.

UberAssist, which launched on March 23in Ottawa,will offer "door-to-door service," with top-rated drivers helping ridersenter and exit their vehicles.

Drivers must be ratedof4.6 or higher and have completed a "hands-on in-person educational session" that involves instruction on, among other things, how to guidepeople with impaired vision and fold and unfold wheelchairs, the company said.

UberAssist rideswill cost the same as standardUber fares.

Potential to help thousands

UberAssist has the potential to help thousands of people in Ottawa, including many who don't meet the criteria to take ParaTranspo, OC Transpo's service for people with disabilities,said AndreaPodruski, program manager for Citizen Advocacy.

To be eligible for Para Transpo, riders must complete a lengthy application form and have their application certified by a health care professional.

UberAssistdrivers, however, will require more than just awareness training they will also need to comprehend the specific challenges facing people with a wide variety of medical issues, said Podruski.

"I don't think awareness is enough. Because when you're looking at a range of disabilities and a range of different types of people who are going to be using this service,you really want to make sure that you have a true understanding and you're prepared to respond to different types of situations," Podruski said.

Some drivers will also have to revamp their vehicles to accommodate different types of wheelchairs, she added.

"For people with physical disabilities, they often have equipment which is often very expensive and needs to be manipulated in a safe way," said Podruski.

"For people who have mental health issues they may need, you know, certain types of social support as they're going for a ride somewhere."

Ubercurrently only has wheelchair-accessible vehicles available inToronto, the company said.

'It's perfect'

For 21-year-old Sarah Mercer, who uses a wheelchair because of herspinabifida,scoliosisand osteoporosis, UberAssist is a dream come true.

"I use ParaTranspoif I have to. You have to plan far inadvanceto do that, though, so sometimes when I have things that pop up I'm not able to get a ride there."

Mercer told CBC that she often has to show herUberdrivers how to dismantle and reassemble her wheelchair, and it would be a "great idea" if their drivers had already received some training fromthe company.

"I mean, I don't mind teaching myUberdrivers myself how to do it," she said.

"But if they already know how to do it, it's perfect."