Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- seamless / ˈsim lɪs / (adj.) – without any problems, mistakes, or interruptions
Example:The hotel check-in process was seamless. It took just a few minutes without any delays.
- whisk / wɪsk / (v.) – to take someone or something to another place quickly
Example:The celebrity was whisked into a private room to avoid the press.
- window dressing / ˈwɪn doʊ ˈdrɛs ɪŋ / (n.) – the act of making something look better than it really is, especially to hide problems or make a good impression
Example:The app’s new colorful design is just window dressing. Its makers didn’t actually improve its performance.
- compliant / kəmˈplaɪ ənt / (adj.) – following or agreeing with rules, laws, or standards
Example:The new building is compliant with safety rules, so it passed all the inspections.
- accommodate / əˈkɒm əˌdeɪt / (v.) – to provide someone with what they want or need, such as services or requests
Example:The restaurant was able to accommodate our large group by setting up extra tables.
Article
Read the text below.
Disabled people who use rideshare apps Lyft and Uber say their experience is not a seamless task of pressing a few buttons and being whisked to their destination minutes later. Instead, people who use wheelchairs and guide dogs have watched drivers cancel rides, charge cleaning fees for guide dogs, or outright refuse to take them where they need to go.
The rideshare companies plan to push app updates soon to address cancellations and misunderstandings, but advocates and disabled users say they want to see drivers be better educated about how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and want the companies to put in stricter discrimination policies. The new app features are just “window dressing,” said Lynn Dubinsky, who works for a guide-dog training school in San Rafael, California.
While rideshare apps aren’t the only option for disabled people across the U.S.—public transit agencies must also have ADA-compliant buses and trains and offer paratransit options like shuttles—the disabled community relies on rideshare more than others, according to the 2022 U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Robert Silva has had issues with rideshare drivers because of his folding wheelchair, which he has used since losing his right leg in a car accident. The 34-year-old from Alameda, California, said he once tried ordering a rideshare five times in an hour and a half to go to Disneyland before a driver accepted his request.
“They just see me in a wheelchair first thing, and they’re expecting that there’s going to be a lot of baggage there,” said Silva, who usually can get into a vehicle without assistance. “I’m sure when they see me they think it’s going to be a lot more work than it actually is.”
Uber and Lyft said their disability policies include following the ADA and not denying rides to people solely because they have a guide dog. The companies also said new drivers are made aware of the policies during onboarding, and that established drivers get occasional reminders of disability policies. If drivers wrongfully decline to accommodate riders because of a service animal, they face a potential ban.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- According to the 2022 U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the disabled community relies on rideshare more than others. Why do you think that is? Which do you think is better for accessibility: public transportation or rideshare services? Why? Discuss.
- In your opinion, is it enough to have laws like the ADA to make transportation more inclusive, or is more action needed? Why? How can companies, like Uber and Lyft, educate drivers to serve disabled passengers better (ex. require amenities for disabled passengers, train all drivers on assisting disabled passengers)? Discuss.
Discussion B
- The rideshare companies plan to push app updates soon to address cancellations and misunderstandings. What do you think Lynn Dubinsky means by calling these new app features “window dressing?” Do you believe that these new app updates would make the situation better for disabled passengers? Why or why not? Discuss.
- Do you think “window dressing” is always intentional, or could it happen because companies don’t fully understand the problem? Why? What consequences do you think companies could face if their improvements are seen as “window dressing” (ex. lose customer trust, improved sales)? Discuss.
