This is where the staff of the Reeve Foundation is sharing up-to-the-minute information and putting some context around the news affecting the spinal cord injury and paralysis community. Not to mention insight into what's going on here at the Foundation.
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Wheelchair users at airports. Or are they?
Posted by
JLoFriday, February 22, 2013
Awhile back the Reeve Foundation conducted a brief online survey asking what annoys those who use wheelchairs most. An overwhelming response was the misuse of accessible parking. While this item wasn't featured in the list, I'm starting to think it should have been.... fake requests for wheelchairs at airports.
Wheelchair assistance is a vital, widely used airport service, making travel feasible for the elderly and people with disabilities, injuries or limited capability to navigate long airport distances. The 1986 Air Carrier Access Act requires airlines to provide free wheelchair service to anyone who requests it. No description or documentation is required.
Airports across the country say more able-bodied travelers have figured out they can use wheelchairs for convenience, making waits a lot longer for travelers with genuine needs. (Thinkstock photo)
At Los Angeles International Airport, airlines and companies that provide wheelchair service estimate 15% of all requests are phony, said Lawrence Rolon, coordinator for disabled services for Los Angeles World Airports. Airport officials estimate nearly 300 wheelchair requests a day are bogus. "It's just a big mess,'' Mr. Rolon said. "Abusers are really impacting the operation.''
Some amazing findings and statistics. You're going to want to read the rest.
Once you do, let us know, what do you think? There's already a discussion going on around it, so join in!
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