Ride-hailing services overlook people with disabilities

Left out of the debate over rideshare in Chicago is the civil rights of people with disabilities. The convenience and pricing that many Chicago residents enjoy with Transportation Network Providers (TNP) such as Lyft and Uber are not available to many riders with disabilities because the companies lack accessible vehicles. Ald. Anthony Beale’s proposed Ride Share Ordinance is critical to ensure that all populations have access to quality transportation options. The ordinance requires five percent of TNP vehicles to be wheelchair accessible.

Though TNPs are providing three million rides a month, through August 2015 Uber and Lyft fulfilled a total of only 14 wheelchair accessible trips. Demand for rides exists. In 2015, there were more than 41,000 taxi requests for wheelchair accessible vehicles.

All populations deserve the benefits of convenience and competitive pricing that Uber and Lyft bring to Chicago. As major companies, Uber and Lyft have the responsibility to serve all Chicago populations, including people with disabilities. A fleet that is five percent accessible vehicles is a place to start.

Gary M. Arnold

Access Living

Chicago

Gun control and Second Amendment not in conflict

Why do some gun owners and the NRA believe that any regulation of firearms is a gutting of the second amendment? I own and drive a car. Does the state requiring me to prove I can drive and have a driver’s license limit my ability to drive? Does the requirement of purchasing and displaying my city sticker limit my ability to drive? Does the requirement of displaying license plates limit my ability to drive?

Do any of these regulations somehow take away my right to drive a car? No.

And why does anyone need an assault rifle? Is it necessary for hunting? Isn’t plugging a deer a couple of times with a standard rifle sufficient? If you’re such a poor shot that you have to fire multiple rounds to hit your target, maybe you should take up bowling instead.

So, on the one side of the scale is your right to own a gun; on the other side of the scale are 100 people killed or wounded in a nightclub. Is that how your scale looks?

One last question: What’s wrong with you people?

Shari Parker, Pullman