New Opportunities for People with Disabilities in Odesa
As of October 1, 2024, Odesa is home to 63 thousand individuals with disabilities, including over 4.5 thousand with mobility impairments, 5,229 children with disabilities, and nearly 1,000 individuals with visual impairments.
To enhance conditions for barrier-free movement of individuals with mobility challenges, as well as visually impaired individuals and children with disabilities, the Odesa City Council has implemented a new social service called «Social Taxi».
This service will be provided free of charge, marking an important step toward ensuring equal opportunities for all Odesa residents.
According to the Director of the Department of Labor and Social Policy, Olena Kytaianska, vehicle requests can be made via the short number 15-01 three days before the trip. The service can be utilized no more than 10 times a month.
«At the start of this important project, we have 6 vehicles specifically equipped for transporting individuals with disabilities. This includes 2 vehicles purchased through the city program, 2 cars provided by our partners from Regensburg, and 2 vehicles from our partners, the organization "Barrier-Free", with whom we have signed a Memorandum,” said Hennadiy Trukhanov.
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The «Social Taxi» service allows for transportation within Odesa from residences to local government agencies, state authorities, courts, healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, banks, social, cultural, and educational institutions, as well as transportation hubs during designated hours. The waiting time for the special vehicle in case of a return trip should not exceed 2 hours. Cancellation of requests should be communicated no later than 2 hours before the scheduled time. If the service is canceled after the vehicle has arrived, it is considered used.
Note
The transportation service for citizens suffering from chronic kidney failure to the site of systemic hemodialysis is provided by the Municipal Institution «Emergency Medical Aid Center» upon the family physician's request.
