Union Cab helps provide accessible option for people to get to the ...

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Union Cab of Madison Cooperative provides free cab rides to those who need help getting to their polling location on election day.

“We believe in democracy, we think you should vote, we want to give everyone who wants to vote the opportunity to vote,” explained John Hershberger, President of Union Cab.

To get a cab, voters can call 608-242-2000 and say that they are voting. A driver will pick then them up from home, drop them off at their correct polling place based on their address, and then bring them back home when they are done, all free of charge.

“We’re putting our money where our mouth is,” says Hershberger.

Union Cab also has wheelchair-accessible cabs to help everybody vote, no matter their ability to pay, drive or walk to the polls.

“Part of what makes Union Cab unique is that we want to be seen as an asset to the community, we want people to understand that we are an asset to the community, and part of that is our commitment to wheelchair accessibility in transportation,” Hershberger said.

People with disabilities often have a more difficult time voting. While there are rules that allow them to get help or use different resources to vote, they may also want the ability to vote independently.

Nathaniel Lentz has a disability and is the Outreach Advocate at Peoples First Wisconsin, and Program Director at The Arc-Dane County.

“If people with disabilities had more accommodations, they would be able to vote independently instead of having to depend on someone to get to the polls,” Lentz said. “The traveling aspect of it is getting harder.”

Lisa Hassenstab with Disability Rights Wisconsin also says transportation can be a big challenge for voters with disabilities.

“So when folks like Union Cab and others across the state really step up, it really does make a significant difference to insuring that people can get their vote cast,” says Hassenstab.

Hassenstab emphasized the importance of accessibility in voting, saying nearly one in four adults in the United States lives with a disability. She also says it is important to share information about accessibility, like the options people have to vote.

People with disabilities have the option to curb-side vote outside of polling locations, and they can also have someone drop off their absentee ballot on their behalf.

Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.

Copyright 2024 WMTV. All rights reserved.