These last few months, I had to advocate for accessibility challenges that have occurred within travels for work. One thing I realized, is that it is important to not back down from situations that need to be corrected. As a person with a disability, I take a responsibility not only for myself, but for others with disabilities, when it comes to paving the way for accessibility. It is important to feel confident in being your own advocate. To know that one “No” from someone doesn’t mean it’s time to back down.
A few months ago, I had a situation occur while I was traveling to Denver, where the airline damaged my wheelchair. Of course the first thing the airline says is that the damage is “personal wear and tear.” At that time, my wheelchair was not even 24 hours old. It was brand new and had just been delivered to my house the day prior. It is frightening to see the wheels on your brand-new wheelchair come out scratched when it is given back to you at the gate. Especially when you know that there wasn’t any scratches when you handed the airline your wheelchair before boarding the plane. The first thing I did when I got my chair was call the airline’s customer service department, as I felt that I deserved some compensation for the damage they had done to my wheelchair. After a few phone calls, the issue was escalated and I received compensation for the damage.
Most recently, while traveling to Pennsylvania, I had to encounter my hotel room not being ADA-compliant, with not being able to reach the shower handle and having cold water. The hotel was adamant that the room was ADA-complaint, in that the architects that designed the ADA rooms made sure it was up to “code.” Or having the general manager at the hotel telling you that I should be able to reach the shower handle with no problem, even though he was six foot tall… After many phone calls and emails, including to the President/CEO of the major hotel chain, I received a full refund for my hotel stay.
The moral of the story is that it is important to Let Your Voice Be Heard. As a black, disabled female, I am characterized as being vulnerable to others. Situations where sometimes people feel they can take advantage. Instances where individuals think that you are less educated or do not know what you are talking about because you have a disability. Be your own Self-Advocate in these situations, do your homework and do not back down from situations that you know need to be corrected. I have never focused on my disability. In all situations throughout my life, good or bad, I have always focused on my “abilities”!