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Grab Malaysia recently hosted its second Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Carnival to celebrate its growing community of differently-abled drivers and delivery-partners
The PWD Carnival 2025 was held at the Grab Driver Centre in Petaling Jaya and welcomed nearly 200 PWD partners and their families. The event created a space to connect, feel seen, and celebrate how far the community has come.
This year's carnival also marked a significant milestone
Grab Malaysia has now empowered over 5,000 PWD to earn an income through the platform, making it the largest PWD partner community across Grab's regional markets.
For many partners, the journey towards earning independently had not always been straightforward. Recognising this, Grab Malaysia has spent years working on programmes designed to remove barriers and create access.
According to Rashid Shukor, Director of Country Operations & Mobility at Grab Malaysia, the milestone reflected trust built over time
"We are deeply thankful for the PWD community's trust in Grab Malaysia as a platform for them to earn a livelihood. We recognise that while we have achieved a meaningful milestone in providing opportunity for our partners, there is always more work to be done.
"We are always listening to our community and adapting our platform based on your feedback. We remain committed to listening, improving inclusivity, and enabling access to opportunities for all," said Rashid.
A key part of this effort is GrabAccess, a programme launched in 2018 to support PWD driver-partners
Through advisory partnerships with the Persatuan Pemandu E-Hailing OKU Fizikal Malaysia and the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf, GrabAccess offers practical support such as licence subsidies, zero commissions, insurance coverage, vehicle maintenance, and petrol vouchers.
Grab Malaysia has also worked closely with government agencies to help PWD driver-partners obtain their Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences, opening doors to income opportunities that were once difficult to access.
Plus, technology is helping make Grab even more accessible, for drivers and passengers alike
After supporting PWD driver-partners through GrabAccess, the platform is also rolling out features to make rides smoother and more inclusive. The app now alerts passengers when their driver-partner is PWD, ensuring interactions start off on the right note.
Flipcards in cars help communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing drivers, while the recently launched GrabAssist service provides rides for passengers who need extra mobility support, including PWDs and seniors.
Reflecting on the journey, Rashid shared that the community itself had been the biggest inspiration
"We hoped to build a platform to improve livelihoods. But ultimately, it was our PWD community that spotted the opportunity for themselves; they're the ones who showed us what was possible, and still do every day. All we hope for is to do more to help them along the way, even in little ways.
"We're so proud of their passion to serve, and humbled by their strength in overcoming challenges. We hope to keep learning from them, and to do better for our community," added Rashid
Learn more about GrabAccess and how the platform is championing inclusivity on Grab Malaysia's official website
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