Accessibility barriers affect people with disabilities all around the world, no matter their age, race, religion, nationality or economic status.
That was readily apparent from the people tweeting using the #InaccessibilityMeans hashtag. The trending topic began with a tweet from Emily Ladau, Editor in Chief of Rooted in Rights and Cohost of The Accessible Stall Podcast.
#InaccessibilityMeans disabled people are still not seen as full and equal citizens.
— Emily Ladau (@emily_ladau) March 31, 2019
Her tweet sparked a discussion about the types of barriers we face as people with disabilities, the ways in which society responds (or doesn’t respond) to those barriers, and the often negative effects those obstacles place on our lives.
While the discussion was wide-ranging, covering everything from access to medical care to access to the ballot box, I’ve shared a few of the travel-themed tweets below.
#InaccessibilityMeans spending way too much time organizing, anticipating, sending mails and callling places to make sure it’s accessible… and still being anxious because abled-bodied people notion of accessibility isn’t the same as ours.
— Marina Carlos (@MarinaCpom) March 31, 2019
#InaccessibilityMeans even if I make a reservation for a wheelchair accessible room with a roll-in shower at a hotel & it's "guaranteed" there's at least an 80% chance I'll be put in a regular room. And then I get a free night as an apology when all I wanted was to take a shower.
— Emily Ladau (@emily_ladau) April 1, 2019
#InaccessibilityMeans being unable to see monuments I want to bc of stairs. Having to compromise on vacations bc I can't walk as far as I want. Having to figure out transit rather than walking due to uneven streets.
— Audrey R Sutton (@audreyrsutton) April 1, 2019
#InaccessibilityMeans not having the privilege of being spontaneous, changing plans at the last minute and having a rang of choices without any need to worry
— Alice Wong (@SFdirewolf) April 1, 2019
#InaccessibilityMeans you hear people talk about @lyft and @uber as the future of transportation and @Airbnb as the future of vacation rentals, and you think…uh oh. The future is inaccessible.
— Jason Dorwart (@HamOnWheels) April 1, 2019
#InaccessibilityMeans every dinner out and every little family outing requires prior calls, side entrances, back entrances, separate seating, waiting for the one accessible table that’s been given to somebody else. Shoulders stay tensed.
— Laura Dorwart (@laurawritesit) April 1, 2019
#InaccessibilityMeans a company/event's website doesn't list accessibility info, there's no information about who to contact with questions, and no reply from the main help desk email address
— homo qui vixit ⚡️ (@endeverstar) April 1, 2019
#InaccessibilityMeans fearing for the future because you are unsure of your own survival in a world not made for you.
— Travis Chi Wing Lau (@travisclau) April 1, 2019
And here are a couple added by yours truly:
#InaccessibilityMeans That space at the bar, made to accommodate wheelchair users, was taken over by the cash register. pic.twitter.com/CYnccSDTzx
— John Morris, Wheelchair Travel (@WCTravelOrg) April 1, 2019
#InaccessibilityMeans Being afraid to fly with your brand-new wheelchair because an airline totaled your previous one.
— John Morris, Wheelchair Travel (@WCTravelOrg) April 1, 2019
Join the discussion on Twitter, and be sure to follow me at @WCTravelOrg.
What does inaccessibility mean to you? How have access barriers impacted your life, whether in the day-to-day or during your travel adventures? Let me know in the comments below!
