Barrier Free Travels

Lately I've been getting a lot of questions and comments about shoes. More specifically about the removal of shoes at airport security checkpoints. Is it required? What if you are a slow walker and you can't bend over? What if you physically have problems taking off and putting on footwear in a busy airport? What if you don't have anybody to help you and you can't manage the shoe shuffle on your own?

Do you still have to shed your shoes at the x-ray machine?

The short answer is no.

According to the TSA's own rules, if you physically can't take off your shoes, you don't have to bare your sole at the security checkpoint, so to speak. Just inform the TSA employee that you physically cannot remove your shoes. Of course, you'll probably have to have a secondary security screening (wanding) but it sure beats hopping along on one foot trying to put on an errant shoe.

Really, it does. Trust me on this one guys.

So please, pass the word along to anybody you know who may need this information. Seniors, slow-walkers, somebody with a bad knee or anybody else who has any type of a mobility problem. No note from the doctor or wheelchair required. Just a simple self-declaration that you physically cannot remove your shoes. That's all it takes.

Just say no.

And for more information on security rules and regulations as they apply to disabled passengers, visited the TSA website at:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=156

Last night, as I was cruising some of my favorite disability-focused message boards, I stumbled upon a rather unusual post.

The poster uses a scooter for mobility and is planning a trip to the UK. She said she called Virgin Atlantic Airlines to make a reservation and the reservation agent told her they could not transport her scooter on the same flight. It would have to be transported several days later.

Livid, the poster logged on to the internet, and posted a big warning about Virgin Atlantic.

But the whole situation struck me as rather odd. First off, I've always known Virgin Atlantic to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. Second, Virgin Atlantic won't even accept any unaccompanied baggage on flights originating in the US. And third, there was just something odd about the terminology the poster used.

So I did a little investigating. It turns out that when the reservation agent heard the word "scooter", she assumed it was a motor scooter. After all they are very common in the UK. Now if the poster would have taken the time to explain that she had a medical mobility device not a motor scooter, things would have turned out different.

Of course, Virgin Atlantic Airlines transports (mobility) scooters on the same flight as the passenger. It would defeat the whole purpose (mobility) to do anything else.

So the next time you hear an unexpected answer from a reservation agent, don't jump to the wrong conclusion. It could be just a simple language problem. Try and figure out if the reservation agent really understands what you are talking about. Rephrase your request, describe your disability and avoid slang terms whenever possible.

Remember, a scooter isn't always a medical mobility device.

Every now and then I hear something that just makes my blood boil. Such was the case yesterday when I was chit-chatting with an editor friend of mine from the east coast. Between the girl talk and industry gossip, we managed to work in a few comments about other writers we know. When talk turned to one arrogant colleague she said, "You'll never believe what he told me."

And to be honest, at first I didn't. I couldn't believe any human being could be such an insensitive, self-centered, ignorant jerk. But unfortunately he was. And is.

As the story goes, when my editor friend was planning a trip during the busy holiday travel season last year, this so-called travel expert gave her some advice. I use the term advice very loosely. He told her to "wear a neck brace and hobble so you can board the airplane first with the disabled people." He then added, "I do it all the time".

And no, he wasn't kidding.

I haven't been so miffed since I heard a washed-up talk show hostess address a group of journalists and proceed to trash PWDs.
Another-Candy-First.html

Bird of a feather, as far as I'm concerned.

They both have cajones. And they both need a orchiectomy, post haste.

I'm a huge Frank Lloyd Wright fan, so I was really excited when I got this Ask The Expert question:

"I'm interested in the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, but it seems that because of the very nature of his designs many of his buildings are just not made for wheelchair access. Do you know of any Frank Lloyd Wright sites that are accessible?"

See how I answered it at: http://emerginghorizons.com/expert/question.php?id=42

While you're there, browse through the Ask the Expert archives, as they may answer some of your own questions. If not, e-mail me your Ask the Expert question at horizons@EmergingHorizons.com, and I'll see what I can do.

Are most golf courses accessible? Well they are flat and level and have pathways for golf carts, so they sound accessible, right?  Well not according to Richard Thesing, one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Marriott Corp. 

Says Thesing, "I just want to have the same opportunity as everyone else to patronize Marriott's courses and get out and play 18 holes with my friends and colleagues. The only way I can do that is with an adaptable cart."

In fact that is what the whole lawsuit is about. Thesing wants golf courses to provide accessible golf carts for their disabled patrons. These single-rider golf carts feature hand controls and seats that can be rotated and tilted. Golfers can drive them out on the green and take a swing at the ball without ever having to transfer out of the vehicle.  They really are pretty nifty.

Their price tag is pretty nifty too. Around $8000 each, as compared to $2000 or so for a standard golf cart. Which is why golf courses are hesitant to provide them.

The Access Board is also considering adding wording to the ADAAG that would require golf courses to provide at least one (perhaps two) accessible golf carts.  But the government moves slowly, which in the end is the reason for letting the courts decide what's accessible.

No damages are asked for in the lawsuit.  The plaintiffs are only seeking an injunction to require the defendants to provide accessible golf carts at all of their golf courses. 

Time will tell as to how this will all play out.

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