National Council Of the Blind, Malaysia

Empowering the National Council Of the Blind, Malaysia with choice at the touch of a button!

By : Ashvin Khera
   
The Uber app was built to expand access to safe, affordable and reliable transportation options for all, including riders with visual impairments and other disabilities. We are committed to continuing to build solutions that support everyone’s ability to easily move around their communities.

That’s why we are proud to partner with the National Council For The Blind, Malaysia (NCBM) to help empower blind riders with the choice to travel independently, with just a touch of a button!

Through this partnership, we will work closely with NCBM to provide free rides to their members and organise special training sessions for driver-partners on how better to serve blind riders. We will also work with the NCBM to educate blind riders on how easy it is to use the Uber app.

Commenting on the partnership, Leon Foong, General Manager for Uber Malaysia, said, “At Uber, we believe everyone should have the choice of traveling independently; especially people with disabilities, who often face more challenges in a world designed for the able-bodied.

We are proud to partner with the National Council for the Blind, Malaysia to demonstrate how technology can solve real-world problems with real people in mind; by offering safe and reliable transportation for blind people in Malaysia at just the push of a button!”

Moses Choo, Executive Director, National Council for the Blind, Malaysia agreed and explained, “Blind Malaysians have typically needed to rely on others for their transportation needs.

Now, with ridesharing options like Uber, we can more independently get to work, visit friends, or enjoy an evening out. We are glad that Uber has chosen to work with the NCBM to engage the blind with the kind of innovation that opens up opportunities for more Malaysians and create a more accessible Malaysia for the disabled.”

Here’s how Uber’s app works to increase the mobility, efficiency, and independence of transportation for riders who are blind or have low vision with features and capabilities like:

Integration with smartphone accessibility options for the blind. Whether it’s VoiceOver iOS, TalkBack on Android, or even other wireless braille display compatibility, the Uber app makes it easier for riders who are blind to get from A to B at the push of a button.

Cashless payments. Uber’s cashless payment option simplifies the payment process, reducing the need for riders who are blind or low vision to worry about counting out cash payments or exchanging bills with a driver.

On-Demand transportation. The Uber app makes it easier for riders with disabilities to get from A to B at the push of a button. With the Uber app, riders who are blind or low vision no longer have to prearrange rides through a dispatcher or resort to other, less convenient, means of hailing a ride.

Real-time GPS. Uber uses GPS to map and follow every trip in real time. This gives riders peace-of-mind knowing that efficient routes are being utilized, and help eliminates the risk of fraud.

Equal Access for All. Every trip request you make is automatically matched to a nearby driver by the Uber app, reducing opportunities for discrimination to interfere with the process of securing reliable, affordable transportation.

Share your ETA and location. Riders who are blind or low vision can easily share their ride details, including the specific route and estimated time of arrival, with friends or family for extra peace of mind. Friends or family members will receive a link where they can find out in real time the name and photo of the driver, the vehicle, and track where you are on the map until you arrive at your destination —  all without downloading the Uber app.