GrabAccess launches in Malaysia to empower people with disabilities

Grab has launched GrabAccess in Malaysia, a regional programme to empower people with disabilities (PWDs) and marginalised individuals through the Grab platform.

The announcement doubles as a partnership milestone with Grab reiterating its collaborative commitment with the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD), and newly formed partnership with Persatuan Pemandu e-Hailing OKU Fizikal Malaysia (PPEOFM). Through this programme, the tri-partnership hopes to address and reduce the barriers faced by PWDs and marginalised communities by systemically giving them equal access and support to be a Grab partner, regardless as a driver, delivery or merchant partner.

Iris Chang, head of sustainability, Grab said that according to the World Bank, one billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific estimates that PWDs are two to six times less likely to be employed as compared to persons without disabilities.

“Therefore, we are looking forward to working with these two organisations as our pioneering partner to bridge us to more PWDs out there. As a technology enabler, Grab is committed to provide assistance and specially designed training sessions so they can leverage our technology and the Grab platform for earning opportunities. Together, we hope to help more PWDs attain their financial independence and create their own stories of empowerment,” Chang said.

The announcement of GrabAccess was made at the recent #BreaktheSilence tea party organised to celebrate the many PWD partners on the Grab platform.  #BreaktheSilence was first introduced back in 2018 with the aim of empowering the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Grab’s ecosystem. Since then the programme has grown and evolved with more than 2,100 PWDs across the region earning an income on the Grab platform today. Grab hopes to double that number by 2025.

“GrabAccess enables us to recruit, motivate and support those who are keen to be a Grab driver or delivery partner. Additionally, we also hope to address some of the pain points that PWDs face today, especially those interested to be e-hailing drivers as current rigid processes are posing as a hurdle for some to fulfil the necessary requirements,” said Niyaz Naathan, founder of Persatuan Pemandu e-Hailing OKU Fizikal Malaysia.

Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) President, Mohamad Sazali Shaari, said, “We are proud of this long-standing partnership with Grab to ensure that Malaysia’s PWDs especially the deaf community have access to knowledge, capabilities and opportunities to enter the Malaysian workforce as equals. Efforts like #BreakTheSilence and GrabAccess are examples of launching pads for us to break down stigmas and encourage open and honest conversations about the importance of equal inclusive opportunities to build a progressive and thriving nation.”

In December last year, Grab also announced its plans to execute cost-cutting measures to weather through undetermined economic situation - this was stated in a memo by the chief executive, according to Reuters.

According to the memo, the measures comprise freeze on a majority of hires and senior managers’ salaries and a cut in travel and expense budgets. Grab’s CEO, Anthony Tan, added in the memo that these decisions were difficult to make, but they were made to aid Grab to “get leaner and fitter, as [Grab] accelerate even faster towards sustainable profitable growth”. “More so than ever, all Grabbers need to adopt a frugal and prudent mindset as we prepare for 2023.”

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