<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/disability" rel="" target="" title="Disability"><span>Disability</span></a><span> advocates are calling to have rideshare services included in state-based taxi subsidy schemes with 98 per cent of participants in a national trial saying they'd back the reform.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Currently, </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> is the only state to include rideshare in its transport subsidy scheme for people with eligible disabilities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a recent 12-week trial of a provider-neutral scheme conducted by Uber and disability inclusion consultancy Get Skilled Access, participants were given Uber credits equivalent to their state subsidy to use however they wished.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/liberal-party-leadership-spill-what-lies-ahead-for-angus-taylor-after-successful-challenge-charles-croucher/f65881f4-c845-491f-b314-8df9987f9ad6" rel="" target="" title="'Ticking time bomb' sitting under new Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's desk"><strong><span>'Ticking time bomb' sitting under new Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's desk</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The results, released on Thursday, showed 95 per cent of participants felt Uber met their transport needs, 97 per cent felt it met their access needs, 96 per cent felt safe and 92 per cent felt independent and empowered in their daily lives.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Almost all (98 per cent) backed rideshare being included alongside taxis in subsidy schemes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Cheryle Lapthorne, a small business owner, parent and carer, lives in regional Tasmania with her daughter Matilda, who uses a wheelchair and is neurodiverse.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/disability-advocates-call-for-provider-neutral-subsidy-scheme-transport-news-national/8bb2c18b-2d95-419e-950f-fd61ae01d9ed" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lapthorne has multiple sclerosis and mobility challenges of her own.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She told 9news.com.au the availability of taxis in their area does not meet demand.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The family also regularly uses public transport, particularly when travelling interstate for specialist healthcare.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When you're a young person with a wheelchair that can be really difficult to manage and the cognitive load on the caregiver, to try and sort that out, particularly when you've got children that are disabled, you never quite know what card to buy, where to top it up, what tram system to get on, does it work, how far do I have to walk," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"(The trial) was just a reminder that travel can be accessible and functional.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It has just really given us back the choice and control about how we travel.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"People don't understand the functional impact that being denied transport has on someone who may no longer have any spoons left for the day or may not have another accessible way to get home."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She said access to rideshare would be pivotal in allowing Matilda, who is almost 13, to have independence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Uber's teen accounts allow teenagers to use the platform with consent and supervision from their legal guardian.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"She's able to pick where she wants to go and she's able to have a visual example of what that might look like on the screen, which is really accessible for her and calms the anxiety around 'where am I going?' and 'what am I doing?' for a neurodiverse person.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As she grows, it will allow her to access the community in a meaningful way for her."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Matilda's wheelchair folds down and can fit in a small car, which means she doesn't necessarily need the same size vehicle as other wheelchair users either.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lapthorne said having flexibility in what vehicle she uses means those services are available for others who need them.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Not every disability is the same, so being able to have that choice and control about the need that meets you in that moment would probably be life-changing for a lot of people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Everybody should have the right to travel in the way that best suits them and allows them to join in the community."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The trial was backed by Vision Australia, Disability Voices Tasmania, Carers Australia, Children and Young People with Disability Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Research by Vision Australia shows almost 60 per cent of people with disability would be more likely to use subsidy schemes if rideshare was included.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For people with disability, travel is often complex, stressful and requires a level of planning that most people never think about," Vision Australia's general manager of corporate affairs and advocacy Chris Edwards said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When choice is limited, that burden increases.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That's why we are calling for the urgent expansion of state subsidy schemes — a modest reform that would deliver life-changing impacts for our community."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Uber's general manager for Australia and New Zealand said state-funded taxi subsidy schemes had not kept pace with Australians' travel habits.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This trial shows what happens when people with disability get genuine choice.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Victoria's provider-neutral model is a strong blueprint, and this trial adds to the case for other states to back funding that follows the person, not the transport mode".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank" title=""><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a 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