The Delhi High Court has asked Rapido, a bike-taxi service, to address concerns raised by two visually-impaired users about accessibility challenges in its mobile app.
The Delhi High Court has recently called upon Rapido, a leading bike-taxi service provider, to address concerns raised by two visually-impaired individuals regarding the accessibility challenges faced on its mobile application.
Justice Subramonium Prasad has taken a pivotal step by issuing a notice to Rapido, following a plea by Amar Jain, a disability rights activist, and Dipto Ghosh Chaudhary, a visually-impaired banker. Their plea highlights a persistent issue: despite multiple updates to the Rapido app, none of the accessibility concerns they raised have been addressed. This situation has been interpreted as indicative of Rapido’s “casual and insensitive attitude” towards the needs of differently-abled users.
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The plea is part of a broader petition seeking to compel app-based cab aggregators to ensure their services are fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. The court’s order to issue a notice and await a reply before the next hearing marks a critical step in this legal journey.
Jain and Ghosh Chaudhary‘s application to the court details the “critical barriers” they face, such as the inability to independently cancel rides, track the driver’s location, or send messages to the driver through the app. These barriers significantly hinder their daily commute from work to home, emphasizing the need for immediate action to improve app accessibility.
Despite the court’s previous notice to Rapido and other relevant authorities, including the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the petitioners have observed no improvements in the app’s accessibility. This lack of action has prompted them to seek an immediate accessibility audit of Rapido’s services, aiming for a comprehensive solution that ensures end-to-end accessibility for all users, regardless of their abilities.
The petitioners’ experiences highlight a broader issue within the digital services sector, where many platforms fail to accommodate the needs of differently-abled individuals adequately. This oversight not only affects the daily lives of these individuals but also challenges their dignity and independence.
Advocates Rahul Bajaj and Mahoor Ghani, representing Jain and Ghosh Chaudhary, highlight the transport ministry’s lapse in enforcing digital inclusivity mandates. This case underscores the crucial importance of ensuring accessibility for all users, as stipulated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
