[Nfb-idaho] Fwd: Uber rideshare experience for the blind is helping make the blind more independant

[Sean Malone]

Great article Dave and information! Thanks for the email!

Sean

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: David Jolley <k7dv.dave at gmail.com>
> Date: August 18, 2016 at 4:33:58 PM MDT
> To: Sandy Streeter <streeter.sandy at gmail.com>, "to: Carla Teczon" <carlateczon at yahoo.com>, Dalton Teczon <kingdalt777 at msn.com>, Dave Weber <dweber529 at yahoo.com>, David Jolley <k7dv.dave at gmail.com>, Delynn Bateman <larrydbateman at cableone.com>, Jason Bernert <jason.ppl74 at gmail.com>, Katy Pirnie <daizymay16 at gmail.com>, Kevin Pirnie <kpirnie77 at gmail.com>, Larry Bateman <larrybateman at cableone.net>, Lynn Kneip <lekneip at gmail.com>, Randy Bloxham <n7unz at cableone.net>, Sean Malone <shaldarr01 at gmail.com>, Sue Paul Kenny <pepsilover8 at msn.com>, Sylvia Bernert <sylverwings1 at gmail.com>, vickie bateman <vickiebateman at cableone.net>, Wanda Jolley <jolleywanda at gmail.com>
> Subject: Uber rideshare experience for the blind is helping make the blind more independant
> 
> My story begins on a normal, sunny weekend afternoon, where I accepted a nearby request, and proceeded to a familiar location. It was a popular mall, especially for young people, as a lunch spot or shopping at the food market.
> 
> Want more advanced tactics? Maximum Ridesharing Profits has my top tips for earning more money. Click here to enroll.
> 
> However, the pin location was just outside the mall area, and placed on a driveway in a nearby condo complex. Sensing there was an issue, most commonly where someone accidentally taps the screen just before the request that moves the pin, or GPS drift that can happen in low-coverage areas, I called them.
> 
> Strangely, the passenger could only describe their general location, and that they were a group in the front of the mall. That seemed reasonable, as some mall exteriors can be nondescript. So, I suggested, “watch out for a blue car” to which, I received the unexpected reply, “that wouldn’t help, as we are all blind, and holding white canes.”
> 
> More Tips for Drivers:
> 
> How passengers can enter multiple destinations in the Uber app
> Uber accounting: How to track your expenses with an all-in-one spreadsheet
> Behind the scenes of Maximum Ridesharing Profits
> As a precaution, I kept them on the phone, and suggested they ask people around them, to describe where they were, while I approached. Thankfully, my first pass happened upon the group of 4 young people, huddled together, with white canes, on of them holding the phone, talking to me. No need to ask them if they were them!
> 
> I offered them assistance to help get them into the car, and they replied that they are training themselves for independence, and merely needed voice direction to the nearest back door.
> 
> Two of them entered in the back seat, on the driver’s side, and the other two walked together, feeling around the back of the car, where one of them helped the other into the front seat, and then got into the back door of the other side. I was awe struck by the efficient process, and looked around to see if anyone else thought that was cool. Sober and sighted people have more trouble.
> 
> When they got into the car, I asked them how they felt the rideshare app performed, for use by sight-impaired people. They said it was ok, and one of them demonstrated for me how the audio-descriptor voice guided them during the ride request process on the app. Amazing, it was even possible! No wonder they didn’t know that the pin was dropped in the wrong location.
> 
> As we departed, to an assisted-living facility nearby, they said the app could be designed better, but still felt it was great for them, as a transportation alternative. They continued they loved the mall, for entertainment and food reasons, a place where they could all spend time together as friends. They stated, before the rideshare apps, they spent a lot of their time trying to coordinate rides, or simply staying home, with no easy way to roam.
> 
> My heart was tugged by the experience, as I pondered how simple things in life could be taken for granted. I turned off the music, and listened to the white noise of multiple smartphones squawking with navigation instructions for various apps.
> 
> As the ride neared completion, I dropped them off individually to their respective units, painted with large numbers outside nearly-identical exteriors. This time though, it was my passengers that gave me verbal instructions, each of them knew where to turn for the next unit.
> 
> Taking a moment before going available again, I took the opportunity to feel the glee that rideshare rocks! Simply put, It is allowing outgoing people, who previously felt isolated, to gain a new independence. Ride on!