BraunAbility

Wheelchair users buy or rent BraunAbility vans to travel independently when transit systems or rideshares lack ramped vehicles

ENABLE Model location

• Post-launch Compensations → Use Assistive Technologies

What it is

Wheelchair users acquire BraunAbility vans, either through purchase, rental, or use of third-party services that operate them, to secure independent travel when conventional transit systems or ride-sharing services do not provide ramped vehicles. This means people are using specialized vehicles as a personal solution to overcome a gap in accessible public or commercial transportation.

Why it matters

The ability to utilize BraunAbility vans provides a vital means for people to maintain their autonomy and participate in daily activities, such as commuting, shopping, or social events, which would otherwise be inaccessible to them. These vans enhance personal independence and mobility, allowing individuals to navigate their communities and manage their lives even when broader infrastructure falls short. This demonstrates resilience and problem-solving in the face of widespread inaccessibility, ensuring essential participation where systemic care has been absent.

However, this compensation becomes necessary because mainstream digital and physical systems often fail to integrate accessibility from the outset, leading to a lack of accessible transportation options. The need for individuals to obtain specialized assistive technologies like BraunAbility vans highlights systemic neglect in design, development, and policy, where transportation services are not built inclusively by default.

Real-world example

Wheelchair users buy or rent BraunAbility vans to travel independently when transit systems or rideshares lack ramped vehicles. This illustrates how individuals resort to specialized personal equipment to fill a critical gap left by inaccessible mainstream services.

What care sounds like

• "Our ride-sharing app must facilitate booking wheelchair-accessible vehicles and include alternative input methods from the start."
• "We are designing our public transit systems to include fully ramped and functional vehicles that are regularly maintained and tested."
• "We will ensure our entire fleet is accessible for all users, and our dispatch system clearly indicates vehicle features."
• "We must perform user studies to test how well our new bus models work for people with limited mobility before deployment."
• "Our procurement language for new vehicle fleets will make accessibility non-negotiable."
• "Let's align the definition of 'done' for this new vehicle model with comprehensive accessibility standards."

What neglect sounds like

• "Accessibility for our new fleet is not a deliverable."
• "It's not legally required for our transportation sector to have fully accessible vehicles."
• "We'll add ramped vehicles later if we have time."
• "We only designed for the average passenger for this transit app."
• "It's not our job to fix vehicle accessibility -- just to make it look good."
• "We didn't have time for a full accessibility audit of the new public transport vehicles."
• "We tested it, but no wheelchair users were part of the focus group"
• "We'll fix any issues after launch if someone complains about vehicle access."
• "People found ways to travel before; they can adapt."

What compensation sounds like

• "I had to acquire a specialized vehicle just to be able to travel to work independently."
• "I never know which public transportation service will be usable today, so I just use my own specialized vehicle."
• "Why should I need to buy such an expensive vehicle to do what others can do with standard public transport?"
• "It feels like I'm 12 again having to rely on someone else to get to the grocery store if my accessible vehicle breaks down."
• "The alternative travel method doesn't have the same features as standard options. It costs more. It takes longer. I shouldn't have to work harder just to do the same thing."