Safe and accessible taxi service is a crucial service that needs to be improved.

Long-standing issues of safety and accessibility need to be improved immediately to benefit everyone.

On Monday, March 7, a delegation will be speaking to Edmonton City Council including:

• Accessibility Advisory Committee, City of Edmonton
• Women's Advocacy Voice of Edmonton, City of Edmonton
• Alberta Accessibility Network
• Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
• Canadian Hard of Hearing Association - Edmonton Branch

We are looking for community support as we bring this to council. Please sign, comment and share.

Our ask:

• Recognize the sense of urgency to address safety and well-being concerns of passengers
• Develop safety measures and put them in place immediately to protect all users
• Provide drivers and riders with supports to improve accessible taxi service
• Improve the booking system and use accessible methods to communicate
• All drivers should have accessibility and sensitivity training

Why?

• Women with a disability are twice as likely to be assaulted than women without
• Lack of willingness to drive an accessible taxi because of extra costs to the driver
• Long wait times for an accessible taxi that often don't arrive
• The current booking system is not accessible for some people with sensory disabilities

To see our response and recommendations in full:
WAVE letter of recommendations
AAC letter of recommendations
Agenda Item 6.2 Response to VFH Report by WAVE & AAC

Concerns arising from the City of Edmonton’s Vehicle for Hire Commission have been raised specifically by the Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton Committee (WAVE) the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), with endorsements by the Anti-racism Advisory Committee and City of Edmonton Youth Council.

ABOUT _The Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton Committee provides City Council with advice on affairs relevant to municipal jurisdiction for women’s gender-based issue resolutions and opportunities - related to city policies, priorities and decisions.

ABOUT_The Accessibility Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the City Council about facilities and other infrastructure, programs, services, activities and policies. This aims to improve the City’s livability, inclusiveness and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.