From Cecelia Hockett Walker, GVRA:

We are currently exploring Uber and Lyft as part of the solution to transportation issues for our Clients. We will be interested in seeing if any other states have experiences they can share.

From Vicki Rollo, LA Rehabilitation Services:

I have not used Uber or Lyft for consumers.

From Harold Beard, LA Rehabilitation Services:

Most of our clients use the Lake Charles city bus transportation system which is about 50 cents. We do not provide transportation for our consumers other than mileage reimbursement for college commuters! Uber has just recently started in our area a few months ago and there are several taxi cabs for competition.

From John Stem, MD Division of Rehabilitation Services:

Beginning in July 2016, DORS has used Uber services 56 times and Lyft services 2 times. These services are primarily initiated by the DORS Workforce and Technology Center (WTC) staff when consumers express a need for transportation assistance to or from WTC. So far, these services have most often been arranged and provided for individuals with cognitive impairment and for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and have been provided to a less extent for individuals who are blind or visually impaired or who have physical disabilities.

From Larry Vrooman, RSA:

We recently completed an onsite monitoring visit to ME, and they are using Uber in some aspects of their program. You should contact them for details.

From Laurie Ford, CCER/U of Washington:

Pennsylvania is doing this in some areas; Jameson Collins can give you more information at jamescolli@pa.gov.

From Verna Dixon, LA Rehab Services:

No, we do not use these modes of transportation for our consumers.

From Jennifer Beilke, MN State Services for the Blind:

We do use these companies. Many of our blind customers prefer using these services versus some of the other options. It can cause problems though with authorizing and paying for these services because they can having varying rates.

From Randall Loss, PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation:

When you have time, please give me a call to discuss what I have experienced with this area of service (rloss@pa.gov).

From Stacey Marbs, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services:

I’m not aware of these agency’s being used for transportations with our consumers. Although it may be more cost-efficient it would be dependent upon the consumers disability and functional limitation and their ability to independently enter and exit the vehicle.

From Elaine Robertson, SC Commission for the Blind:

We do not utilize either of these businesses. We have drivers employed by the agency and we also use the public bus system.

From Barbara Boese, Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation:

In the state of Delaware where public transportation is spotty this provides a real solution. Although there is paratransit its reputation for on time and accommodating isn’t quite up to customer satisfaction standards. A pre-paid card for using Uber based upon need in the first phase of employment. That can very well determine the success of employment in public transportation dead zone like Delaware. In looking through the link I spotted Vendor Evaluations. Pre-Employment Transition Services in Delaware are dynamic and we have a case file review format that itemize the service deliverables from the contract and quantify contract compliance. Case file progress notes, pre and post-test data to add the qualitative aspect to evaluating the Pre-ETS services and service providers. We do have data handle on the impact of services with these providers. I am a one person Contract Unit and struggling to put systems into place to evaluate adult services providers beyond the raw number of clients they serve and the employment outcomes they log. As for self-employment we have a robust service delivery system with a contracted provider of services and we are in the process of drilling down the VR counselors preliminary activities to vet a client for this type of service. We are still struggling on when to call it a successful outcome. Do you have a definition to consider for our debate?

Posted in: Policies