July 31, 2019
There’s lots to do in a mall but walking around such a large area
is not an enjoyable prospect for people with mobility challenges or the
elderly. myUDAAN, the mobile app, has launched a wheelchair assistant service
at malls in Navi Mumbai.
A weekend at the mall is something everyone in Uma
Marolia’s family looks forward to, but the 56-year-old prefers not
to go. After she injured her right leg in an accident some years back, Uma is
unable to walk for too long.
Last weekend Uma’s daughter insisted on taking her to the Seawoods
Grand Central Mall in Navi Mumbai, where she was in for a pleasant
surprise. There was a wheelchair assistant available and she could enjoy the
mall with her family.
I was so happy to see the wheelchair assistance service at the mall. The
best part was that there was a helper available to push the wheelchair
around. I thought my daughter would have to push me around, but the
assistant accompanied us throughout which was lovely. – Uma
Marolia, Former school teacher
The service is something elderly and disabled visitors to malls and cinema
halls in Navi Mumbai can now look forward to thanks to
myUDAAN, the mobile app that aims to make travel and places
accessible.
“We launched the service on 10 July and have done over 160 bookings until
now”, says Ravindra Singh, Founder, myUDAAN The on-demand
assistance service can be booked via the myUDAAN app. There’s
also a number where people can call – +91-93207-76611.
As someone with post polio paralysis from birth, Ravindra had never been to
the mall for and is determined to change this for people with disabilities by
taking accessibility to their doorsteps. The idea of launching such a service
came to him during a visit to Ahmedabad.
“I was on a tour to the Statue of Unity and the wheelchair
that was available had been reserved for VIP use. There was no assistance
either. That gave me the idea to start an on-demand assistance service”.
With this service, people can plan trips in advance, with a
sense of security. You can book the service for two hours.
“When people plan a trip, they book flights/hotels in advance. Similarly,
people can book myUDAAN’s ‘my assistant service’ for indoor and outdoor
travel”, adds Ravindra.
“I used the service recently to take my grandfather to the mall”, says
R Anjani, a businessman in Navi Mumbai. “We got an
assistant called Santosh and he was so helpful. I have never seen such a
service in Navi Mumbai before”.
There are other services listed on the myUDAAN website and app as well. Users
can book a cab, ask for an assistant as well as source information regarding
doctors and policies for people with disabilities and the elderly.
Download the myUDAAN app and
check the service out! You can find it on Google Playstore. Click on My
Assistant, enter your details, including date and time.
ALSO READ: myUDAAN aims to bring accessibility, independence to
the doorstep of people with disabilities
