Jack Hunter-Spivey: Paralympian in 'think twice' plea to taxi drivers

A Paralympic medallist is asking taxi drivers to "think twice" about driving off when seeing the passenger is a wheelchair user.

Jack Hunter-Spivey has spoken out after two Uber taxis left without him in the fortnight after returning from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

The Sheffield-based Paralympian said it was a "regular" occurrence and not limited to one taxi firm.

Uber said the practice was "totally unacceptable" and it was investigating.

Hunter-Spivey, who is 26 and was born with cerebral palsy, gained a huge response after tweeting about his recent experiences on Tuesday, with others responding with similar stories.

The table tennis bronze medallist, who is originally from Liverpool but moved to South Yorkshire to train, called the behaviour "really infuriating".

"All the able-bodied people were very shocked about it, but it's something that we face most days so we're just trying to raise awareness of it," he said.

"Ninety per cent of taxi drivers have always taken me, it's just a small minority, but it does happen quite regularly and it's not just down to one taxi company."

Responding to Hunter-Spivey's tweet, Paralympian Phoebe Paterson Pine, who won archery gold in Tokyo, posted: "We are celebrated for our successes as athletes nation wide after a games, but still treated this way."

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Hunter-Spivey said: "My chair folds really easily, it takes 30 seconds to collapse down and it fits in any boot.

"I can transfer myself, the only help I need is to put the chair in the boot. It would be the same if it was somebody with a suitcase or similar."

He added: "If any taxi drivers are listening, please think twice about it. We're not a burden, we're just trying to get around in our day-to-day life."

Richard Kramer, chief executive at the Sense disability charity, said: "We hear too often from disabled people that have experienced similar discrimination, it's an unacceptable situation and we call on taxi firms to review their policies and driver training.

"As a society we must commit to tackling inequality and create a more inclusive society, removing the barriers that disabled people face."

An Uber spokeswoman said: "It is totally unacceptable for drivers to refuse to take a wheelchair user and we are currently investigating this report.

"Private hire drivers are required by law to make reasonable efforts to fit the wheelchair in the boot. If this proves impossible, the rider would be advised to book a different vehicle."

The spokeswoman added that all passengers were encouraged to report any such incidents using the firm's app or its phone line so they could be investigated and "appropriate action" taken.

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