Indian tech entrepreneur Gaurav Kheterpal shared an unexpected experience after arriving in the United States and booking a Lyft to his hotel.
Before the car arrived, the app notified him that his assigned driver was deaf or hard of hearing. It also displayed basic American Sign Language phrases, including “hello” and “thank you,” to help passengers communicate with the driver.
When the driver arrived, the interaction became even more personal. He handed Kheterpal a small card explaining his condition and welcoming him.
“He handed over a card stating so & welcoming me. And I said thank you in sign language,” Kheterpal wrote.
A Question About Accessibility In India
The brief exchange prompted Kheterpal to think about how people with disabilities experience everyday services and employment opportunities in India.
Rather than focusing only on the ride itself, he raised a broader question about whether people with disabilities in India receive meaningful opportunities and respect beyond existing government provisions.
“Will we ever have the same level of opportunity and respect for specially enabled people in India & go beyond just offering them a quota in Government jobs?” he asked.
His post drew attention online, with users sharing examples of workplaces and public services where people with hearing disabilities are already part of the workforce.
Users Share Their Own Experiences
Several commenters responded with examples from India and elsewhere.
One user pointed to Amazon's employment of people with disabilities, writing, “Amazon is already hiring them in FC for packing, inventory stuff. That's the standard of a good MNC Company.”
Another user mentioned Uber India, saying, “@Uber_India in Bengaluru gives you info on the driver when you book the cab. Only no sign language info, which is good to know.”
A third commenter shared an experience with IndiGo employees who use sign language.
“Indigo does it already. I have encountered several personnel at their check-in counters who were deaf and using sign language,” the user wrote.
Kheterpal’s Take On The US Experience
Kheterpal acknowledged that the United States has its own problems but said the experience had made him think about the opportunities available to people with disabilities.
“There may be thousands of things wrong with the US & troll me for it, but as a country, it truly does provide equal opportunity for all, regardless of disability,” he wrote. “India, we all need to step up.”
The post subsequently attracted a range of reactions, with many users discussing accessibility, employment and the ways companies can make everyday interactions easier for people with disabilities. The conversation also included differing views, including a commenter who raised concerns about hearing loss and emergency situations.
