CHICAGO ~ Chicago Launches Citywide Service to Retrieve and Return Mobility Devices After Emergencies

Chicago has taken a major step towards improving services for residents with disabilities with the launch of a new citywide program. Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), and the Office of Public Safety Administration (OPSA), announced the initiative today. The program aims to ensure the safe retrieval and transport of mobility devices following medical emergencies that occur in public locations.

According to Mayor Johnson, this program is a significant milestone in the city's efforts to promote accessibility, innovation, and equity. He stated, "When a Chicagoan with a disability faces an emergency, they should be able to focus on getting the care they need, not worry about whether their belongings will be there when they return." He also commended his administration for working tirelessly to create this community safety solution by breaking down departmental silos and collaborating effectively.

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The program establishes a coordinated process involving various public safety partners such as the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Chicago Fire Department (CFD), and Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC). It also involves MOPD and BACP in recovering, transporting, securely storing when necessary, and returning manual and power wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices to their owners after emergency incidents.

MOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa highlighted that this initiative was born out of the needs expressed by the disability community. She said, "Our disability community elevated that this was an ongoing need, and through this innovative solution, we are building accessibility so that in an emergency...there is relief in knowing procedures are in place for return of the mobility device."

The program will be executed through close coordination among OEMC, CFD, CPD, MOPD, and Curb - the contracted service partner. The City of Chicago already has a successful partnership with Curb for dispatching wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) taxis, completing over 18,000 trips each month. This program will leverage the same robust WAV network and efficient dispatch services to quickly retrieve and return mobility devices to their owners.

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BACP Commissioner Ivan Capifali expressed his pride in partnering with Curb to offer this new service. He stated, "The new service goal is to protect valuable mobility devices...and to connect the device owner with the device after emergency ends." He also emphasized that this service will ensure that unoccupied devices are retrieved and returned to their owners.

The program officially started on August 1, 2026, and is funded through BACP's Accessibility Fund. Ryan McGraw, Healthcare/Home and Community Based Services Community Organizer at Access Living, praised the program as an important victory for people with disabilities. He said, "While more work remains as the program develops...it represents meaningful progress toward ensuring that people with disabilities can seek emergency care with confidence."

This citywide service is a testament to Chicago's commitment towards creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all its residents. With this program in place, individuals with disabilities can have peace of mind knowing that their mobility devices will be safely retrieved and returned after emergencies.

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