[community] Fwd: City of Toronto Vehicle-for-Hire Review Report Available

Thu Jun 20 19:33:16 UTC 2019

Hey all, someone told me that the training for uberWAV
(wheelchair-accessible vehicles) in Toronto consisted on practicing loading
a single person and that the training session ran out of time so not every
person there got to chance with this single type of passenger. The training
didn't include a variety of mobility devices or bodies that they would
realistically encounter. It sounds insufficient. I heard this from someone
who uses a wheelchair who knew the person who was brought into consult and
be the practice passenger.

I also heard that people who sign up with uberWAV have some questionable
arrangement with Uber to buy accessible vehicles. Someone described it like
indentured servitude. It makes me wonder what this means for the number of
accessible vehicles available in their fleet, the longevity of these
drivers, and what happens to customers who request these.

This is mostly gossip from the grapevine but thought it might be of
interest. I'd be great if someone else could verify what I heard.

On Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 3:19 PM Cybele S <cybele.sack at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks so much, Spirit.
>
> A button to order a scent-free ride would be good too.  Many Uber and Lyft
> drivers use air fresheners.
>
> On Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 2:52 PM Spirit Synott <spiritsinit at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Cybele
> > “Training” is not the same as cultural competence. I am so sorry you had
> > that experience. This is another case of all of us on board to let Uber
> and
> > or Lyft know this is a possible life threatening circumstance. The Driver
> > was completely negligent to harass you for their own ignorance. It would
> be
> > a completely different situation if they apologized for not being able to
> > accommodate you at the time. I also agree there must be pushback for
> > feedback.
> > Spirit
> >
> >
> > On Jun 19, 2019, at 8:48 AM, Cybele S <cybele.sack at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Oops, lots of references to training.  Just scanned quickly.  But with 17
> > references to the word training, it was short on detail.  Let's hope the
> > frequency of the use of the word means the quality of what is provided is
> > high.
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 8:44 AM Cybele S <cybele.sack at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > If there's still time to comment on this, some extra issues to consider:
> >
> > Scent-free rides available -- currently Lyft and Uber don't have this.
> As
> > an allergic person coming out of the hospital after an asthma attack,
> when
> > I tried to order one, and I couldn't get in the ride that came, I was
> > harassed by the driver up until the regular taxi that I called afterwards
> > finally arrived.  There was also no good way to complain about this
> > situation or behaviour.  Many people need scent-free vehicles.
> >
> > Training for Drivers on AODA and Human Rights Code -- Mandatory training
> > of all drivers would be helpful, on the law and also on accessible
> customer
> > service and how to do it.
> >
> > I'm sure I'm missing more gaps in the document.  I just wanted to share
> > two aspects that stood out first.
> >
> > I noticed there was nobody on the consultation list from organizations
> > that would have caught the scent-free aspect, including associations of
> > people with respiratory conditions and allergies and environmental
> > sensitivities.
> >
> > C.
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 8:38 AM Cybele S <cybele.sack at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Oh I just found it:
> >
> > Here's the accessibility strategy:
> >
> https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/gl/bgrd/backgroundfile-134425.pdf
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 8:37 AM Cybele S <cybele.sack at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Is it just me, or is it a bit challenging to find the accessibility
> > strategy on this link?
> >
> > If anyone finds it, could they please post the direct link?
> >
> > Thanks, C.
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 17, 2019 at 10:35 AM Treviranus, Jutta <jtreviranus at ocadu.ca
> >
> > wrote:
> >
> > This may be of interest to list members.
> > Jutta
> >
> >
> > Begin forwarded message:
> >
> > From: Dylan Feist <Dylan.Feist at toronto.ca<mailto:Dylan.Feist at toronto.ca
> >
> >
> > Subject: City of Toronto Vehicle-for-Hire Review Report Available
> > Date: June 17, 2019 at 9:56:16 AM EDT
> > To: Dylan Feist <Dylan.Feist at toronto.ca<mailto:Dylan.Feist at toronto.ca>>
> >
> > You are receiving this information because you or your organization
> > participated in the City of Toronto's vehicle-for-hire accessibility
> panel.
> >
> > Good Morning,
> >
> > The staff report with proposed recommendations to City of Toronto
> > Municipal Code Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, including an
> > accessibility strategy, is now public. It will be considered at the June
> > 24th meeting of the General Government and Licensing Committee<
> >
> >
> http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=15373#Meeting-2019.GL6
> >
> > .
> >
> >
> > The staff report and attachments can be found near the bottom of the
> > following webpage:
> >
> > GL6.31: Review of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 546,
> > Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire
> > http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2019.GL6.31
> >
> > Interested individuals are able to submit comments or request to speak
> > at the Committee meeting. Please visithttps://
> > www.toronto.ca/legdocs/tmmis/have-your-say.htm for more information
> > about this. Questions about this process should be directed to
> > gglc at toronto.ca<mailto:gglc at toronto.ca>.
> >
> > Thank you kindly,
> > Dylan
> >
> > ---
> >
> > Dylan Feist
> > Senior Policy and Research Officer
> >
> > [Email 2]
> >
> > Policy & Strategic Support  |  Municipal Licensing and Standards
> > City Hall  |  100 Queen St. W, 16th Fl
> > <
> https://www.google.com/maps/search/100+Queen+St.+W,+16th+Fl?entry=gmail&source=g
> >.
> > West Tower  M5H 2N2
> > 416.392.1553  |  :dylan.feist at toronto.ca<mailto:dylan.feist at toronto.ca>
> >
> > We are committed to accountability and transparency. If you are
> > contacting Municipal Licensing & Standards staff, you may be required to
> > register as a Lobbyist. The City of Toronto's definition of lobbying is
> > quite broad. Check for more information by visiting toronto.ca/lobbying
> > <http://www.toronto.ca/lobbying> or contacting the Lobbyist Registrar
> > at (416) 338-5858 orlobbyistregistrar at toronto.ca<mailto:
> > lobbyistregistrar at toronto.ca>.
> >
> > ________________________________________
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> >
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> >
> >
> > Spirit Synott
> > spiritsinit at gmail.com
> > spiritsinit.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
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