For many visually impaired individuals, booking a ride has long meant relying on assistance. That experience took a step forward today as Maxim E-Hailing Malaysia, in collaboration with the Society of the Blind in Malaysia, demonstrated how voice talkback technology can support independent ride bookings at the Inclusive Mobility Seminar 2026 held at Wisma SBM.
The session brought together approximately 40 visually impaired participants, who were introduced to how the Maxim app works with screen reader and voice talkback functions, allowing users to navigate the platform and arrange rides without visual input. The initiative highlighted how assistive technology can be integrated into everyday mobility services to improve independence and confidence in travel.
A key highlight of the seminar was a guided live booking demonstration, where participants used voice-assisted commands to navigate the app, input destinations and simulate ride requests. The hands-on session provided a practical understanding of how the system responds to spoken input in real time, bridging the gap between digital accessibility features and real-world usage.
Participants were supported throughout the session by facilitators, ensuring a structured and comfortable learning environment. The exercise allowed attendees to familiarise themselves with the application at their own pace, reinforcing confidence in using digital transport services independently.
In addition to the live demonstration, participants were introduced to Maxim’s OKU-friendly tariff, including eligibility criteria, registration steps and fare structure. The briefing aimed to ensure that accessibility extends beyond app usage to include inclusive pricing options designed for the community.
“Accessible technology should not be an added feature, it should be a standard. Through this initiative, we want to ensure that visually impaired users are able to navigate the Maxim app independently using voice talkback support and book rides with confidence. This seminar is part of our ongoing commitment to making everyday mobility more inclusive and empowering for all,” said Syed Abdul Syarif, Head of Division Kuala Lumpur, Maxim E-Hailing Malaysia.
“I had the opportunity to experience making a booking on my own during the live demonstration, with guidance from the Maxim team. It was a very meaningful experience for me, as it showed that I can navigate the app and arrange my own rides with more confidence,” said Puan Farahin, a participant who took part in the live demo.
To further enhance the session, a supervised ride simulation was conducted with a designated Maxim driver. Selected participants took part in a short demonstration ride, allowing them to experience real-world interaction, including communicating pick-up details and travel requirements in a controlled setting.
“We would like to thank Maxim E-Hailing Malaysia for their commitment and willingness to collaborate with us in advancing accessible mobility. It is encouraging to see continuous efforts being made to improve digital services for the visually impaired community. Initiatives like this provide meaningful exposure and help our members gain confidence in travelling independently,” said Dr Ahmad Shamsuri, Vice President, Society of the Blind in Malaysia.
For participants, the experience went beyond technical learning. It represented a practical step towards greater independence in daily travel, where digital tools and human support work together to make mobility more inclusive and accessible in real terms.
The seminar builds on the ongoing Memorandum of Understanding between Maxim E-Hailing Malaysia and the Society of the Blind in Malaysia, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving mobility access for the visually impaired community through technology and collaboration.
As digital platforms continue to evolve, initiatives like this demonstrate how assistive features such as voice talkback can be meaningfully integrated into essential services, enabling users to move through their daily lives with greater autonomy and confidence.
