Wheelchair Discrimination
I use a wheelchair. I am able to drive and normally do, but I unfortunately had a car accident last March that has caused a significant hike in my car insurance premium. I finally had to let it lapse and I am shopping around now. I usually drive myself to my appointments. I drive a minivan that I can transfer into from my wheelchair and then pull the folded wheelchair into the space behind the drivers seat then use the push button to close the sliding back door. When I am traveling with others, my minivan does fit perfectly in my trunk space in standing folded position.
Today, I had my monthly infusion appointment and had to use Lyft. I attempted to Uber first but the prices were high. On my ride there, I had a wonderful female driver who was immediately helpful, courteous, and kind. She didn’t mind lifting the wheelchair into the trunk of her Honda Accord. She said she was happy she had recently cleared out her trunk. I gave her an extra tip after she dropped me off for her cooperation and kindness.
The ride back was not so smooth. My doctors’ office has a street entrance that isn’t accessible. The back entrance is an ambulance pick up. If I use this entrance, I have to wheel myself to the street. Being that I usually drive, I used the third floor parking deck entrance when I was dropped off so I didn’t have to wheel myself from the street to the back ambulance entrance. My doctor’s office and the infusion center are on the 5th and 6th floors, so entering on the 3rd floor is very convenient. I haven’t been down past the third floor since I started driving and kind of forgotten all about how to exit through the first floor.
Naturally, when I left, I ordered the Lyft to the 3rd floor parking deck. I messaged the driver to tell him where to pick me up. I should have immediately known that would be too complicated and just wheeled myself downstairs and waited, but muscle memory took over. The arrival time said 1 minute, then 3 minutes, then 1 minute, etc. It continued like that for about 7 minutes when the driver texted and told me he was downstairs across from the ambulance entrance.
I wheeled myself downstairs and went down the driveway to the MINIVAN that matched the Lyft description. “Raju” looked at me from across the street and said “Your wheelchair can not fit in my car.” He got back in his minivan, canceled my ride, and left my sitting there.
I immediately went to the help chat and explained what had just happened. Lyft was very apologetic and let me know that they take these reports seriously. She then awarded me a $15 credit which I used to get home.
I’m writing this because the disclaimers always say that they accommodate disabled people in wheelchairs yet that was not the case for me. Years ago, before I purchased the minivan and had to use ride shares, I used Lyft to get to and from appointments. I stopped after numerous drivers arrived and left after seeing me in the wheelchair.
I may have to pay a high insurance premium just for the sake of my pride and dignity.