Zipcar Takes Lead in Making Services Accessible to People With Disabilities

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2008 - Today Zipcar, the world's largest car-sharing company, is taking the lead in making their car-sharing services accessible to people with disabilities. These efforts are the result of an agreement reached between Zipcar, the Equal Rights Center (ERC), a non-profit civil rights organization, and Rosemary Ciotti, of Washington, D.C.

Ciotti became a Flexcar member in May 2007 and had concerns about certain company policies, which she then brought to the ERC's attention. The ERC and Ciotti, represented by the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs and Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, originally brought a disability discrimination suit against Zipcar and Flexcar, another car-sharing company. Zipcar and Flexcar have since merged under the name Zipcar.

Under this agreement Zipcar will make changes to its policies regarding the availability of hand controls for its vehicles, exceptions for assistance animals and for additional drivers. More specific information about these changes can be found on Zipcar's website after November 17, 2008.

Available immediately, Zipcar will be offering discounted memberships to ERC members, employees and independent contractors, many of whom are persons with disabilities.

"Access to transportation is a continuing challenge for people with disabilities," said Don Kahl, Executive Director of the ERC. "We applaud Zipcar for its willingness to provide this community access to its vehicles and services. Car-sharing is an exciting new transportation solution, and this agreement will ensure that it is available to all qualified customers."

"We've found a way to help the car-sharing community grow to include even more people seeking new and innovative transportation options," said Zipcar D.C. General Manager Ellice Perez.