Wow Ben! What an AWESOME idea! I, for one, am also a large woman who uses a powerchair. It is a royal PITA to get from chair to aisle chair to plane seat and vice versa when landing. I also worry how much damage will be done to my chair- I've had the joystick broken to the tune of $1200! I've since learned to remove anything removable and tape it all to my chair-take my cushion with me- some say sit on it but by the time the cushion is added then I sit- it sits me up way to high and is quite uncomfy. I also have a larger backside so my butt gets rolled/pushed up in the back and makes for a painful ride. Being able to ride in my own chair would be SO much nicer. Of course they'd be having to give up 2 first class seats for our chair but it would sure make things less complicated for us! and perhaps more people could fly! I also hope if this goes thru we're not charged first class prices...will be interesting to see if this goes all the way thru. For all our sakes- I sure hope so! Thank you for sharing your idea!

I just got back from a trip where I had to change planes... I am a C6/7 complete quad so I agree with you. That asile chair was designed  for a 10 year old the seat is too small and so are the asiles my butt always hiits the seat on both sides. Maybe if enough of us continue  to complain
somethung will be done. So come on all you frequent flyers what have you got to say.

Marvelous

Hello Ben,

Smart minds think alike!  I recently had the opportunity to speak with some of the major airlines regarding this same issue.  I'm personalizing wheelchair and golf carts with the hope of changing the stigma of why people uses wheelchairs and help others connect to the personality of the person in the wheelchair.  

I'm traveling around the country trying to bring awareness to businesses, organizations alike, informing them that it would be in their best interest to become more disability friendly and to provide more accommodations for people in wheelchairs.  Just because people uses wheelchairs or other quality of life medical equipment, doesn't mean they don't want to enjoy life simple pleasures like taking trips, traveling on airplanes, riding on trains, riding on tour buses, etc.   The list can go on and on.

I have a problem with any business establishment that can't accommodate more then two or three people in wheelchairs at one time. People in wheelchairs also like to go on vacations or travel with family and friends.  They just need a little more assistant or special accommodations.

Businesses need to get with the times by becoming more informed, more connected, and more in touched with people that are in wheelchairs.  If the businesses communities don't know or don't care to know about  what it means to accommodate more than a few people with special needs or in wheelchairs at one time than we have to let them know...

There is a communities of people that uses wheelchairs and will patronizes businesses that provides special accommodations for their needs.  It's not right that a people in a wheelchair has to feel left out of family vacations, special events and other simple life pleasures because of their disability. 

One way of getting our message to the business communities is to refer them to the Christopher and Dana Reeve community page where they would hear from people from around the world with similar concerns. The business communities would get the message loud and clear that there is a much greater need for their place of business to accommodate more than just a few people in wheelchair at one time.

One of the things that I'm most grateful for from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is it's ability to bring people together to address these kinds of issues.  Most of all the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has built a platform for people that are going through similar life challenges to connect and become friends.  For some people that visit the site it's like communicating with family members.    

I think what you are doing in brave and most of all needed.  It's going to take people like you and me to join with others to bring awareness to these who don't get it.  I'm not in a wheelchair but I can personally relate to this issues.  I had a car accident that has caused some permitted nerve damage to my body and most times I have to use a wheelchair at airports. 

My mother lost both of her legs to diabetes and depends on her wheelchair. I like to take her on vacations and enjoy other families fun events.  I have a lot of friends that is in wheelchairs so, I get it and it is personal... 

It's sad to know that we live in a world of large established businesses that includes airlines, luxury resorts, luxury hotels, trains, luxury tour buses,etc. that overlook the small needs of those who requires a little more assistance in order to enjoy life.

Remember these words from a song I wrote:

A broken spine is only to remind us to uses our voices and be kinder.

Reach out and take someone hands. Let them know that they are not alone.

And together our voices are strong when we take our stand . 

Ben, I will join you and support your efforts to address our Congressman and Senators.  Let me know how else I can help and stay in touch.  You can email me at evansandassociates@yahoo.com.

GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

THERESA E.
       

It seems as though airlines take accessibility lightly and its infuriating.

My mother is recently paraplegic and we just attempted our first flight last month, and I was incredibly frustrated with the lack of concern by the airline to provide a safe and streamlined trip. (you can read about our experience here).

I'd like to work with others to advocate for accessible and comfortable air travel for everyone, and for true enforcement of the Air Carrier Access Act for those with disabilities. Please let me know if I can help in the D.C. area.