POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITS OF TAXI SERVICES IN PROVIDING TRANSPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY HANDICAPS

The author describes the experience of West Germany in transporting the mobility-handicapped by taxi. The suitability of taxis in general use for this purpose is first assessed. People with severe mobility handicaps are found to rely on special services such as those provided by the Red Cross which serve to isolate them from the rest of the community. These and some experimental forms of taxi, e.g. the Berlin taxi are not favoured as they make the disabled stand out. At the same time non-handicapped clients are unwilling to use a form of transport obviously for the disabled. A new possibility is described - use of the the type of family limousine gaining in popularity for leisure pursuits but having sufficient space for the requirements of the handicapped. The author recommends a revival in the use of taxis and the setting up of a framework in which these limousines would be used. For the covering abstract see IRRD 853163.