In Uzbekistan, 700 deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers partner with the Yandex Go service
Deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers have completed 850,000 trips through Yandex Go over five years. Currently, 700 such drivers cooperate with the service in Uzbekistan, completing an average of 35,000 orders per month — twice as many as two years ago.
In Uzbekistan, 700 deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers partner with the Yandex Go service. Over five years, they have completed 850,000 trips, the press service of Yandex Uzbekistan told Gazeta.
Currently, such drivers complete an average of 35,000 orders per month — twice as many as two years ago, the company noted.
The report states that working with the Yandex Go service has been adapted for drivers with hearing disabilities. Connecting to the platform is possible without phone calls, training in the Yandex Pro app is available in sign language, and communication with support and passengers has been converted to a text format.
When a new order arrives, the smartphone screen starts flashing and the device vibrates. The text chat between the driver and the passenger is available throughout the entire trip, whereas in the standard mode it closes after boarding. Voice calls for passengers and support staff are disabled.
Special covers and cards are also placed in the cars to help the driver and passenger communicate during the trip. According to the company, the drivers' hearing specifics do not affect passenger ratings or trip safety.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers can partner with the service as self-employed individuals or through taxi fleets. For the latter, the company has prepared a guide on interaction and communication with people with hearing specifics.
"The development of an inclusive environment in Uzbekistan today is directly linked to technology. Adapting the platform to the perception specifics of deaf and hard-of-hearing people shifts inclusion from the category of one-off initiatives into regular practice. The project's statistics prove the demand for such tools: they help people realize themselves professionally and strengthen a culture of mutual respect in society," noted Usman Sharifkhodjaev, Deputy Director of the National Agency for Social Protection under the President.
"Yandex Uzbekistan consistently creates opportunities for the professional realization of people with disabilities. We are adapting not only Yandex Taxi, but also other services, such as Yandex Lavka. Recently, the service opened positions for warehouse specialists with hearing disabilities. It is important that we carry out this work together with state and public organizations, relying on feedback from the people themselves. Combining experience and resources allows us to create systemic solutions that meet the real needs of those for whom they are intended," said Sardor Kadyrov, Vice President of Yandex Uzbekistan.