Statement on Waymo Driverless Cars in Portland
Portland, Oregon— As Portland makes headlines for welcoming Waymo's self-driving car service, Disability Rights Oregon is calling on the City Council to ensure autonomous vehicles are genuinely accessible. Below is our statement:
Tom Stenson, Deputy Legal Director at Disability Rights Oregon, issued the following statement:
Statement from Tom Stenson, Deputy Legal Director, Disability Rights Oregon
"Today's City of Portland announcement is an exciting step for accessible transportation — but only if the City Council holds Waymo and others accountable to their promises. Mapping streets isn't enough. Autonomous vehicles must reliably recognize wheelchair users in crosswalks, and accessible options must be a guarantee, not just a PR talking point."
For additional background and sources, see the following April 13, 2026, Letter to the Editor by Emilie Wylde Turner, Disability Rights Oregon Board Chair: https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2026/04/readers-respond-driverless-cars-should-be-accessible.html
About
Disability Rights Oregon
Disability Rights Oregon upholds the civil rights of people with disabilities to live, work, and engage in the community. The nonprofit works to transform systems, policies, and practices to give more people the opportunity to reach their full potential. For nearly 50 years, the organization has served as Oregon’s Protection & Advocacy system.
