Resolution 06 regarding Chicago Taxi Smart Phone Ap
WHEREAS, in recent years, ride share services have presented formidable competition to the
taxicab industry; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
(BACP), regulates the taxicab industry in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, in an article published Monday, October 27, the Chicago Tribune reported that
BACP will let bids for a company to produce a smart phone app which will work like a central
dispatching system -- that is, the app will dispatch a taxicab closest to the customer's location,
from any company; and
WHEREAS, on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, the City Council convened a joint committee
meeting and public hearing, on accessible taxicabs; and
WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois presented testimony urging the City
of Chicago to adopt strong standards requiring nonvisual access in rear seat communication
devices; and
WHEREAS, the same principle applies to smart phone apps; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED ''' that this Organization strongly urge the Department of Business Affairs
and Consumer Protection and Mayor's Office For People with Disabilities (MOPD) to ensure
competent and equal nonvisual access -- that is, the information available to sighted people must
be just as equally, easily, quickly and intuitively nonvisually accessible to people who are blind
or visually impaired.