Kenya's Deaf Cabbies Use Uber App to Compete

Kenya's Deaf Cabbies Use Uber App to Compete

NAIROBI, KENYA—

The taxi-like online company Uber has begun a first-of-its-kind African pilot project where deaf drivers in Nairobi use its app.

Driver Benard Mulama intently goes through his phone. For the past week he’s been getting familiar with the Uber App.

Mulama, who is deaf, is in a pilot project encouraging the hearing impaired¹ to use the smartphone app that connects riders to drivers.

It's a collaboration² between Uber and the Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD).

Connecting drivers, riders

In the field, the Uber app works seamlessly with a flash prompt appearing on the smartphone alerting the driver of a potential client.

For Mulama, the application means that more deaf drivers will overcome hurdles³ and venture into a business that was once the preserve of only the hearing.

“Well, many deaf drivers driving taxis normally have problems in getting a personal service vehicle [PSV] license⁴," he said. "But getting a private car license is easy since the police normally give licenses⁵ to private car owners who are deaf.”

The chairman of KNAD said the Uber app helps to level the playing field somewhat.

“We partnered with Uber because many deaf drivers do not have the opportunity to drive due to the attitude of policemen. Through the Uber app we will be able to influence and enable deaf people to drive,” said KNAD Chairman Nickson Kakiri.

Ease of use

The Uber app is relatively⁶ easy to use. The rider keys in their pickup⁷ location and the driver accepts the request once the phone flashes. Once the rider is picked up the Uber App automatically charges the fare —75 cents per kilometer.

Uber's manager in Kenya says the new revenue stream is a motivational factor.

“We both see the power of technology to offer greater income opportunities to deaf and hard of hearing people who typically don’t have access to that many income opportunities, especially in cities like Nairobi," said Alastair Curtis, Uber general manager.

According to the Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association, there are more than 600,000 hearing-impaired people in Kenya.

1 impaired   

adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Much reading has impaired his vision. 大量读书损害了他的视力。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• His hearing is somewhat impaired. 他的听觉已受到一定程度的损害。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

3 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

4 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

5 licenses   

n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句

6 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

7 pickup   

n.拾起，获得

参考例句：

• I would love to trade this car for a pickup truck.我愿意用这辆汽车换一辆小型轻便卡车。||The luck guy is a choice pickup for the girls.那位幸运的男孩是女孩子们想勾搭上的人。