The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Didi Chuxing, the world’s leading transportation app, launched a cooperation program to provide accessible chauffeured car services for people in need including individuals with disabilities in China on May 29.

The accessible chauffeured cars launched are modified from multi-purpose vehicles and provide more space with adjustable seats and doors. In addition, customized Disability Equality Trainings (DETs) for the chauffeurs have been provided by DiDi and UNDP. From the perspectives of users with different needs, the training guided drivers and DiDi staff on how to provide services and improve products for persons with disabilities.

“At UNDP we strongly advocate for rights of persons with disabilities and these taxis provide convenient and reliable transportation for a group often left behind. We hope these services can help advocate for disabled groups in China and build a more inclusive society for all in line with ‘leaving no one behind’,” said Patrick Haverman, Deputy Country Director of UNDP China.

“The DiDi accessible chauffeured car services actively support the 17 SDGs advocated by the United Nations. It not only provides a safer, more convenient transportation method for the disabled group, but also defends their equal rights,” said Fu Qiang, Senior Vice President and head of Premier Mobility Group of Didi Chuxing.

Over the coming months this pilot project will build a linkage to Youth Solution Trip, a UNDP initiative to promote youth engagement and innovation, in which users including persons with disabilities will be invited as “product experiencing officers” to provide feedback to the product and services, in order to improve disadvantaged passengers' experiences. After the initial launch in Beijing, more modified cars will be released into the market and expanded to other cities based on the experience and results from the pilot programme.

The project will continue to facilitate DiDi App to remove physical and informational barriers for its users, providing services to more people in need including people with visual and hearing impairment.

The project also received support from actors, actresses and sports star in China, Michelle Yeoh, Zhou Xun, Ma Sichun, Leo Ku, William Chan and Ning Zetao, who call for different groups in the society to create a convenient and equal traffic environment for all.

“Looking forward UNDP will continue its support in safeguarding the rights of disabled people in China and promoting access to transportation, so as to build a more equal and inclusive society,” Patrick added.

The year 2016 marked the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the groundbreaking UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which coincides with the year when the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development came into force. The cooperation will call for all members of society to create an accessible and equal traffic environment for persons with disabilities and help raise awareness of disability inclusion in China.