Wheelchair-friendly cabs for differently abled need of the hour

Unlike cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, Chennai is yet to see the infrastructure required for wheelchair friendly cabs. “While some drivers are open to helping the wheelchair users, there are many others who refuse to so, claiming that there is no place for a wheelchair or express apprehensions that the wheelchair could damage their vehicles,” said Gnana Bharathi, President, Spinal Injured Persons’ Association. 

On Sunday, when the city observed the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, wheelchair users in the city urged private companies to come forward to initiate the same. “Cab companies like Ola and Uber can provide a few vehicles which are disabled friendly, instead of side-lining us and denying us their services,” he added.

Stating that cab services are public services now, Shireen M, an activist, said, “The cab companies must follow the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. As it is, there is no accessible public transport system.”

The differently abled say that autorickshaws too are not an option for them. “Autorickshaw drivers usually find it difficult to place the wheelchair in the vehicle and therefore refuse to ply us. While it is not possible to place wheelchairs in most cars, the bigger cars have enough room and can include a slab to help make it easier for the wheelchair user,” said Ashok Nagar resident Amrita R, who is dependent on a wheelchair.

While the cabs and autorickshaws lack in such facilities, the state’s bus and trains services are no different. “Around five years ago, the Transport Corporation in the city dedicated 10 buses as being disabled-friendly. However, they were later withdrawn. All we request is for a slab to be placed connecting the platform to the bus. It would make travelling so much simpler for so many who are disabled,” he added. 

The logistics should be taken into account when special arrangements are made for the disabled, felt many. For example, the coach for the disabled in a train, is always at the end. “It should be at the centre of the train. The coach usually stops outside the platform. Even healthy people find it difficult to get down onto the tracks. How then can the wheelchair borne do so?” asked Bharathi.