What Uber Access offers and who it's designed for

Uber Access is Uber's service for riders with mobility disabilities or accessibility needs. It connects you with drivers who have completed accessibility training and drive vehicles equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, service animals, and other mobility aids. The service operates in select cities and uses the same Uber app — you request it as a separate option rather than ordering a standard Uber.

The service is not a separate company or program run by a government agency. Uber built it as a feature within its own platform. You pay the same base fare as a regular Uber ride in your area, though wait times may be longer because fewer drivers participate. Drivers are not required to take Uber Access requests, and riders are not required to use it — both choose to opt in.

Uber Access is available in parts of California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and a handful of other states, but not nationwide. Coverage changes as Uber expands the program. The best way to know if it's available in your city is to open the Uber app, tap the menu, and look for the Uber Access option. If you don't see it, the service is not yet running in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber Access is a feature within the Uber app that matches you with drivers trained in accessibility and driving vehicles that accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids.
  • You pay standard Uber fares, but wait times are typically longer because fewer drivers participate in the program.
  • The service is only available in certain cities; you can check your app to see if it's offered where you live.
  • Drivers who take Uber Access requests have completed Uber's accessibility training, which covers safe loading, communication with riders, and proper equipment use.
  • Service animals and mobility devices travel free; you are not charged extra for accommodations.

How to request an Uber Access ride

Open the Uber app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Scroll down and select "Uber Access" if the option appears. This takes you to a separate booking screen where you enter your pickup and dropoff locations just as you would for a standard ride.

The app will show you available drivers in your area and estimated wait times. Because fewer drivers participate in Uber Access, wait times are often 15 to 30 minutes longer than a regular Uber ride. Once you request, the app notifies a nearby Uber Access driver. You can message the driver through the app before they arrive to let them know about your specific needs — for example, if you use a wheelchair, if you have a service animal, or if you need extra time to board.

The driver will arrive at your pickup location. They are trained to help you load your wheelchair or mobility device safely and to secure it during the ride. You do not pay extra for this service or for the space your device takes up. Payment works the same way as a regular Uber ride — you can pay with a card, cash, or Uber credit on file.

What accessibility training Uber Access drivers complete

Drivers who opt into Uber Access must complete an online training course before they can accept requests. The training covers how to safely load and unload wheelchairs and other mobility devices, how to communicate clearly with riders who are deaf or hard of hearing, how to assist riders with visual impairments, and how to work safely with service animals.

The training also teaches drivers about common accessibility mistakes — for example, not securing a wheelchair properly, or moving a rider's device without permission. Drivers learn the legal requirements around service animals (they must allow them in the vehicle) and the difference between service animals and emotional support animals (only service animals are legally required to be permitted).

Uber does not publish the exact length or content of the training, but it is mandatory before a driver can turn on Uber Access requests. Drivers can lose access to the program if they receive complaints about accessibility or safety. You can report a problem with a driver through the app after your ride ends.

What vehicles are available through Uber Access

Uber Access vehicles vary by city, but they typically include full-size vans or SUVs with wheelchair lifts or ramps, extra interior space, and tie-down systems to secure mobility devices. Some vehicles have lowered floors or hydraulic systems that make boarding easier. Not all Uber Access vehicles look the same — the common feature is that they are equipped to safely accommodate wheelchairs and other aids.

The app shows you the vehicle type and license plate before the driver arrives, so you know what to expect. If you have a specific vehicle need — for example, if you need a vehicle with a particular type of lift — you can message the driver after requesting to ask whether their vehicle meets your needs. If it does not, you can cancel and request again to find a different driver.

Uber does not charge riders extra for using an accessible vehicle. The fare is the same as a standard Uber ride in your city. Drivers who maintain accessible vehicles do receive slightly higher pay per ride to offset the cost of vehicle maintenance and equipment, but this does not affect what you pay.

What to do if Uber Access is not available in your area

If Uber Access does not appear in your app, the service is not yet running in your city. Uber has said it plans to expand the program, but there is no published timeline for when it will arrive in specific locations.

In the meantime, you have other options. You can request a standard Uber and note in the driver message that you use a wheelchair or have a mobility device. Many standard Uber drivers will help you load and unload, though they are not required to and have not completed accessibility training. You can also contact your local paratransit service — most cities run a separate, subsidized transit system for people with disabilities, and fares are typically much lower than rideshare.

If you live in a city with Uber Access and want to request it but it is temporarily unavailable (for example, if no drivers are online), you can request a standard Uber instead. You can also contact Uber support through the app to ask when Uber Access service is expected to resume in your area.

How Uber Access differs from paratransit and other services

Paratransit is a separate, government-funded transit system run by your local transit authority. It is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in cities with public transit. Paratransit is usually much cheaper than Uber Access — fares are often $2 to $5 per ride — but you must book in advance (usually 24 hours ahead), and rides may take longer because the vehicle makes multiple stops.

Uber Access is on-demand: you request it when you need it, and you get a direct ride to your destination. It costs more than paratransit but is faster and more flexible. Uber Access is not a government program and is not required to follow ADA rules, though Uber has designed it to meet accessibility standards.

Some cities also run volunteer driver programs or nonprofit rideshare services for people with disabilities. These vary widely by location. Your local area agency on aging or disability services office can tell you what options exist in your city and how to use them.

What happens if you have a problem with an Uber Access ride

If a driver was rude, did not help you load your device, drove unsafely, or did not take you where you asked, you can report the problem through the Uber app. Open the trip history, find the ride, and tap "Report Issue." Describe what happened. Uber reviews reports and can remove drivers from the Uber Access program if they receive multiple complaints about accessibility or safety.

You can also contact Uber support directly through the app if you need to discuss the issue with a person. Uber has a dedicated accessibility support team, though response times vary. If you believe you were discriminated against because of your disability, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Keep records of the date, time, driver name, and vehicle license plate for any ride where something went wrong. This information is in your Uber app under trip history and helps if you need to file a formal complaint later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tell Uber what my disability is to use Uber Access?

No. You do not need to disclose your disability or the reason you need accessibility features. You simply select Uber Access from the app menu and request a ride. You can message the driver with specific information about your needs — for example, "I use a wheelchair" or "I have a service animal" — but you are not required to explain your disability.

Can I bring a service animal or emotional support animal in an Uber Access vehicle?

Service animals are legally required to be permitted in all Uber vehicles, including Uber Access. Emotional support animals are not legally required to be permitted. Uber's policy allows service animals but does not may provide permission for emotional support animals. If you have a service animal, you can let the driver know when they arrive. If you have an emotional support animal, message the driver before they pick you up to ask.

What if the Uber Access driver is late or does not show up?

If a driver is running more than 10 minutes late, you can cancel the request through the app. You will not be charged a cancellation fee if the driver has not yet arrived. If the driver does not show up at all, the ride will automatically cancel after a set time, and you can request another Uber Access ride or a standard Uber instead.

Can I request Uber Access for someone else?

You can request an Uber ride for another person using your account, but Uber Access requests must be made by the person who will be riding. This is because the driver needs to communicate directly with the rider about their accessibility needs. If you need to book a ride for someone else, use the standard Uber option or contact your local paratransit service.

Do Uber Access drivers get paid more?

Yes, Uber pays drivers slightly more per Uber Access ride than a standard Uber ride to account for the cost of maintaining an accessible vehicle and the extra time loading and unloading takes. This does not affect your fare — you pay the same price as a regular Uber ride in your city.