Blogging Against Disablism Day 2009

[khaybee]

I started out unsure about what to write, but I do believe it is important to write something, as most people don't seem to understand how disabled people get treated day-to-day. I've decided to go with the story of my last flight out of Wellington, as the treatment of disabled people in Wellington airport is the worst I have received anywhere in

Comments

[kbpenguin]

When I used to transit through Auckland on my way to Melbourne, it was always a major hassle convincing the airport staff that I needed *my* manual wheelchair brought up to the gate. I need a headrest, as my neck muscles are weak and their airport chairs were not good for that, unless I wanted to mostly look at the ceiling. They grudgingly agreed to do it when we had a several-hour layover due to mechanical problems, but it was obviously a Horrible Imposition (note that this was the same wheelchair that we once saw a United Airlines pilot carry in one hand while toting a baby stroller in the other, up the outside steps to the jetway. In Chicago. In the snow. It's not heavy.)

It's disappointing to hear that NZ hasn't changed much in that regard :(.

As for the speaking to companion problem, my best friend at uni and I found a way to deal with that when shopping one day. Barb usually used the blank-look method to encourage the other person to speak with me, but we had one particularly clueless sales clerk who insisted on ignoring me and talking to Barb. The conversation went like this:

Barb: *puts garments on higher-than-I-can-reach counter*
Sales clerk: Did you find everything okay?
Me: Yes, thanks.
SC: *looks at Barb* Do you want to keep the hangers?
Me: Oh, these are for me, and yes, please.
SC: *looks at Barb* Do they need to be gift-wrapped?
Me: No, thank you.
SC: *looks at Barb* Is this cash or credit?
Barb: *turns pointedly to look at me* She wants to know if you are paying by cash or credit card.
Me: *looks at Barb* Tell her I'm paying by credit card.
Barb: *turns pointedly back to SC* She says she's paying by credit card.
SC: *looks flustered*

I try to remember that people generally aren't trying to be offensive. But sometimes the temptation to teach by embarrassment is too great.

[helianthas]

That's classic. Well done!