Being a delivery rider isn’t easy, and to add to that, navigating the roads while living with a disability comes with its own unique set of hurdles.
Deaf Grab rider Mohd Amirul Hakim Bin Fazlan recently took to Threads to share a candid, eye-opening look into his everyday reality on the job, urging customers and fellow gig workers to show a little more empathy and awareness.
‘I use missed calls to let customers know I’ve arrived’
In his post, Amirul explained that as someone who is deaf and unable to communicate through standard phone calls, letting customers know that he has arrived can sometimes be difficult. Instead, he usually makes several missed calls to alert them that their order is waiting outside.
He encouraged customers to keep an eye on their app notifications and estimated time of arrival (ETA), rather than waiting for a phone call from their rider.
However, communicating with customers isn’t the only challenge Amirul faces while working. He also addressed why his wife sometimes accompanies him as a pillion passenger when he works on weekends, after the pair were recently photographed and reported to Grab by a senior rider.
While acknowledging Grab’s strict policy against bringing extra passengers on deliveries, he clarified that his wife tags along purely to assist him with customer communication and navigate road situation as he cannot hear.
“We’re all just trying to make a living. The difference is, I’m doing so with the limitations I have. I’m not asking anyone to pity me, I’m only asking for a little understanding,” he wrote.
Small acts of kindness mean the most
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Amirul said Grab has yet to officially contact him following the report. Despite this, he has been touched by the overwhelming support and encouragement he has received from fellow riders and members of the public.
Reflecting on some of his most heartwarming experiences on the job, Amirul said he is especially grateful for Malaysians who go the extra mile to accommodate him and make communication easier.
“There are Malaysians who genuinely care and even take the effort to learn basic sign language just to reply to me. That alone makes me so happy,” he shared.
Above all, Amirul hopes his story encourages everyone to be more considerate of each other’s time, regardless of whether a rider has a disability.
“I hope all users stay more alert with every order they place. Whether a rider is an OKU or not, time is gold. I hope everyone can appreciate each other’s time,” he added.
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