Rideshare Use and Discrimination Among the Blind and Low Vision Community

Dr. Sylvia Brady | Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Rideshare Use and Discrimination Among the Blind and Low Vision Community

Dr. Sylvia Brady, Senior Lecturer of Geography in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, led a research project on ride share use and discrimination among the blind and low vision community to address a research gap by focusing specifically on rideshare discrimination in the disabled community. The findings show that although rideshare improves access to transportation for the blind and low vision community, it is also the transportation method in which discrimination is most frequently reported, especially among guide dog users.

This project fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between faculty members Dr. Sylvia Brady, Senior Lecturer of Geography, Dr. Sarah Schliemann, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, and Dr. Nels Grevstad, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, and alumna Charis Glatthar. Grant support enabled the hiring of four student researchers who were fully engaged in the research process, from navigating human subjects research protocols to transcribing, coding, and analyzing qualitative interview data using computer-assisted software. Through this hands-on experience, students developed methodological expertise, strengthened their critical thinking skills, and gained insight into community-engaged research.

Students presented their findings at the Spring 2025 Undergraduate Research Conference, enhancing their professional development and public scholarship experience. This project was also presented by Dr. Sylvia Brady at the October 2025 regional American Association of Geographers meeting in Omaha Nebraska, and by Dr. Sylvia Brady and Dr. Sarah Schliemann at the Faculty Research Symposium in October 2025, with help from students Jordan Lestenkof, Libby McGavran, Ronan Brennan, and Noah Cowperthwaite.

The project’s findings were published in the Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives journal, which is available to read on ScienceDirect.

The project’s impact also extended beyond campus: research findings on the transportation experiences of blind and low-vision individuals informed testimony at the state capitol in support of legislation addressing discrimination in rideshare services.