Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸Nov 7, 2023

I must preface this with: As long as we have airplanes, all people should be able to fly on an airplane comfortably and safely, period. However, my point is: this also reminds me that if Canada (and North America in general) had a working high speed rail network, it is a mode of transportation that is far more conducive to accessibility and assistive devices.

I recognize trains can't go everywhere planes go (they used to!) and disabled people have the absolute right to expect the same speed and convenience of anyone else (thus this story!). But part of the problem for *everyone* is we simply have no options.

We've thrown all our transportation-eggs into the airplane and cars basket and the air corporations are showing to be particularly evil. The stories emerging from Air Canada and others are horrendous. The companies should be absolutely ashamed.

#Transportation #Canada #CanPoli #CdnPoli #AirTravel #AirCanada #Trains #Rail #DisabilityRights #HumanRights
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/marketplace-hidden-camera-disabilities-transportation-1.7020175

Hidden cameras capture passenger who uses wheelchair struck by lift on Air Canada flight | CBC News

In light of the federal government summoning Air Canada to Ottawa this week to discuss a spate of reports about the mistreatment of customers in wheelchairs, Marketplace is releasing an exclusive preview of its hidden-camera investigation which documented a rarely seen first-hand account of the challenges faced by those flying with a disability.

CBC
Show threadPhoenixSerenity
@chris It's highly traumatic for many disabled folks. I still remember how crappy I was treated by both Air Canada & Westjet at YVR on 2 separate occasions, several years back. Ironically, 3 years after after inhumane treatment by Air Canada & having problems getting around YVR by myself, I was part of the consultation team for YVR - before their big renovations - to make airport more accessible for disabled travelers. Airlines still have a long way to go on accessibility.
Nov 7, 2023 at 7:31pmWeb
Show threadChris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸Nov 7, 2023
@msquebanh the number of horrendous stories is really really shocking. Glad you were able to be part of that team to make YVR better!!
Show threadPhoenixSerenityNov 7, 2023

@chris I was the only physically disabled accessibility consultant on the team. I asked them to bring me a variety of mobility aids to test out in airport & brought in 2 other disabled people to give helpful input (one blind with hearing impairment & one with multiple invisible disabilities).

People who aren't disabled, don't know what we really need when traveling alone.