What’s Happening: Cruise, a self-driving car company, has launched the Cruise Accessibility Council, a cross-disability group of leaders and advocates who will provide external, independent input on Cruise’s product, programs, and approach to accessibility. The council will help ensure that Cruise’s self-driving technology meets the needs of people with disabilities and addresses transportation barriers that many face.
Why It Matters: Over 61 million Americans live with a disability and often lack reliable, affordable transportation access, compounding barriers to education, employment, healthcare, and wellbeing. Self-driving technology has the potential to alleviate transportation barriers, but it has to be done with direct input from those with lived experience. The Cruise Accessibility Council will provide feedback that is critical to the development of all Cruise services, including the Origin Mobility, Cruise’s wheelchair-accessible autonomous vehicle, and the expansion of its commercial service.
Key Points:
- Cruise has partnered with a number of disability-led organizations and conducted user testing with people with disabilities to inform its product design.
- The Cruise Accessibility Council includes a wide range of disciplines and lived experiences to help realize a more accessible transportation future.
- The council will provide feedback on Cruise’s product, programs, and approach to accessibility.
- Members of the public can join Cruise’s community of experts with disabilities and get notified of paid research opportunities to help inform and improve Cruise’s product.
Bottom Line: The Cruise Accessibility Council will help ensure that Cruise’s self-driving technology is accessible to people with disabilities and addresses transportation barriers that many face. The council’s feedback will be critical to the development of all Cruise services, including the Origin Mobility, and the expansion of its commercial service.