Bangalore-based IT service provider MphasiS and Wheels of Change, a non-governmental organisation, jointly launched “KickStart”, a cab service that is tailor-made for people with disabilities.
Vidhya Ramasubban, director, KickStart, said the service will initially operate with three retrofitted cabs that will have modified seats and some special features keeping in mind the needs of their customers.
The fares would be more or less similar to other cab services in the city. Drivers have been trained in etiquette that is appropriate for the needs of persons with disability, she said.
Ms. Ramasubban said the service does not aim to be “exclusive” by only targeting clients with disablities. “Anything that is special will always be exclusive,” she said. The initiative would raise awareness for the need to have more “disabled-friendly” services.
“This cab service would draw attention to the wider issue of making public transportation more accessible to people with disabilities,” she said. At the same time, it plans to offer a source of livelihood to women and transgenders by engaging them as drivers, she added.
Meenu Bhambhani, head, corporate social responsibility, MphasiS, said Bangalore would serve as a testing ground for the service, which would expand to other cities in a phased manner. The initiative is the company’s way of marking World Disability Day on December 3.
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