How long does it take to get a wheelchair accessible taxi?
In Las Vegas, this man calls at 1:37 p.m. for a wheelchair accessible taxi and is told to call back every ten minutes. After over two and a half hours, he's told a cab will be sent, but then told that cab will be delayed.
Ugh, how typical. No wonder travel is so hard for people with disabilities. This reminds me of an experience I had last year when flying home. The airport I was supposed to fly into was closed due to bad weather. We landed at the next nearest airport and were informed a bus would take passengers and our luggage to our final destination. I was assured that an alternate means of transportation was arranged due to the fact the bus did not have a wheelchair lift. The alternate means of transportation was always 15 minutes away--and still was 15 minutes away after waiting three hours. This is grossly unacceptable.
Bill- The devaluation of our time waiting for transportation that, as this video shows, may not even show up, is common, as you know. "Segregated" transportation usually carries with it more rules, less availability, and much less flexibility. In effect, this is like putting on paper that a service exists which is useless, frustrating and lacks accountability. It is often run like a charity - where users are treated in patronizing ways subject to the arbitrary whims of whoever is manning it that day with no oversight or consequences.
Until reliable transportation is provided for pwd that resembles what is available for the general public, there is no way pwd can compete in the job market, travel, and live independently with a quality of life.
2 comments:
Ugh, how typical. No wonder travel is so hard for people with disabilities. This reminds me of an experience I had last year when flying home. The airport I was supposed to fly into was closed due to bad weather. We landed at the next nearest airport and were informed a bus would take passengers and our luggage to our final destination. I was assured that an alternate means of transportation was arranged due to the fact the bus did not have a wheelchair lift. The alternate means of transportation was always 15 minutes away--and still was 15 minutes away after waiting three hours. This is grossly unacceptable.
Bill- The devaluation of our time waiting for transportation that, as this video shows, may not even show up, is common, as you know. "Segregated" transportation usually carries with it more rules, less availability, and much less flexibility. In effect, this is like putting on paper that a service exists which is useless, frustrating and lacks accountability. It is often run like a charity - where users are treated in patronizing ways subject to the arbitrary whims of whoever is manning it that day with no oversight or consequences.
Until reliable transportation is provided for pwd that resembles what is available for the general public, there is no way pwd can compete in the job market, travel, and live independently with a quality of life.
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