Resource Review: SendaRide
Ever heard of Sendaride?
By Mindy Ragan Wood/Editor Commentary If you aren’t using SendaRide, are you even on the state’s community services waiver? That may sound like a joke, but I’m not kidding. I’m surprised at how many fellow parents and people with disabilities do not know about this service.
If you are not familiar with it, you’ll want to read my review of the ride-booking services’ pros and cons and why I think you should consider it.
There are few things in Oklahoma that are more vital to independence than transportation, as anyone who cannot drive will tell you.
If you’re waiting with bated breath for the return of mass commuter or passenger light rail, you don’t have to — you could just call Sendaride.
The door-to-door transport service is tailored to serve medically fragile people, those with disabilities and members of the neurodivergent community. You don’t have to be on the state’s Medicaid service plans to use SendaRide.
It’s completely free through my son’s community waiver via the Oklahoma Developmental Disability Services (DDS) program. We receive three rides a week, but talk to your case manager about how many rides the specific DDS waiver can accommodate.
One of the features I appreciate most about the service is that you can add stops between destinations and even have two additional passengers with the rider. So if you or your neurodivergent loved one wants to do something in the community with a couple of friends—and you do not want to or cannot drive—this service accommodates that need.
SendaRide is also not a medical-only-service. Need a ride to see a movie, attend a party, go shopping at a mall? Yep. They’ll do it.
I also like that I have had no trouble getting rides booked for evenings and weekends. This is not a service that runs only during certain hours or days. They boast a 99% fulfillment rate and I can say personally for us, it’s been 100%.
According to their website, Sendaride drivers must pass local and national criminal background and driving record checks, and drug tests. Drivers also must use a car that is less than 10 years old, and complete CPR and first aid training. They must also complete sensitivity training for riders who need assistance, Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity Training.
The program has some weaknesses, but nothing significant and I found it easily manageable.
With a service like this, it's understandable that a driver could run late if their previous rider had an issue that delayed them. My advice? Have the driver pick up about 15 minutes earlier than you would normally leave for a destination. We once had a driver arrive about 20 minutes late, so be prepared.
A second issue I encountered twice was incorrect addresses. This was easily remedied by confirming the addresses with the operator and the driver. Trust me, what someone repeats to you on the phone and what they type into a database can be two different things!
If anything goes awry, such as an incorrect address, the driver will call the rider or the emergency contact if they can’t reach the rider by phone or if the rider can’t clarify the address. My son didn’t know the address where he was headed and didn’t know the name of the destination, but the driver called me and we sorted it out without any problem.
Other than those two issues, it’s as easy as a wink.
Riders or their loved ones schedule rides by phone and each time the operator verifies the name, home address and phone numbers associated with the account. I personally find that annoying, but things can change quickly for many people in our community, and perhaps not everyone thinks to update a new pickup address or phone number, so I believe it’s wise that they make no assumptions.
At this time, rides for community waiver paid services can only be booked by phone.
If your plan will not allow for this service, you can book for private pay, but it’s pretty pricey. Other ride-booking services were less than half the price, but SendaRide’s specially trained drivers for people with social, physical, intellectual or mental health challenges may make the expense worthwhile.
