The Center for the Visually Impaired encourages our clients to enjoy everything they love during the summer months—including travel! With the summer comes an increase in vacations, family trips, and perhaps even the opportunity to schedule appointments at our CVI Low Vision Clinic. So, it’s exciting that Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hailing service will soon be available in Atlanta!
Waymo is a fully autonomous driving technology company committed to enhancing access to mobility for everyone while aiming to save thousands of lives lost to traffic crashes. They were recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning, highlighting their innovative approach to expanding transportation options.
“Waymo is thrilled to bring our convenient, reliable, and safety-focused ride-hailing service to Atlanta’s streets this year via the Uber app,” said Heather Aijian, Public Affairs Manager at Waymo. “Disability advocacy organizations have been essential in the development and deployment of our autonomous vehicle technology, and we look forward to advancing the future of accessible transportation for riders everywhere.”
CVI’s Adult Services Manager, Ernest Burton, has been an Orientation & Mobility Specialist for over 15 years. He shares that CVI has supported clients in learning about public transit in Atlanta since its inception 60 years ago and continues to help them navigate rideshare services. Burton notes, “An autonomous rideshare service may be especially beneficial for low vision clients hesitant to ride with a stranger, or for individuals using guide dogs who have faced challenges with rideshare drivers not allowing their service animal in the vehicle. We hope that driverless rideshare services emerge as a viable option, continuing to improve in safety, reliability, and availability.”
Starting this summer, access to Waymo will be available directly through the Uber app. CVI Board Member David Price has personal experience navigating travel with vision loss. He stated, “Since Uber arrived in Atlanta back in 2012, it has profoundly enhanced my mobility. I’m excited for the next chapter, as I am on the Uber interest list to start using Waymo this summer when they officially launch their partnership!”
Center for the Visually Impaired Board Member Cosmo Boyd shared another great transportation perk with using the Uber app to book Waymo this summer. Boyd says, “You now get Delta points for spending with Uber.”
To learn more about Waymo, please visit their website and stay tuned as a few CVI team members plan to take a demo ride in June! More information is available here on how riders can join the Waymo Atlanta interest list via the Uber app.
