Canadian airlines must adhere to strict accessibility regulations outlined by the Canadian Transport Agency (CTA) and the Canadian Human Rights Act. These regulations require airlines to adequately assist people with disabilities and their medical equipment. Typically, North American airports have a service that offers assistance to those with disabilities. However, these services lack training and can hurt people with disabilities.
The main issue is with the airlines and the misuse of power wheelchairs. These wheelchairs, for a lot of people, are not toys, and they are used by people with disabilities to get from point A to point b. Power wheelchairs are legs for a lot of people. I describe my power wheelchair as my legs because I cannot walk without holding on to something, or I will fall on my face. I have done this, and it really hurts. Yet, almost all Canadian Airlines treat these power wheelchairs as luggage they can throw around.
Air travel is not accessible in the sense of medical equipment. I hear almost every day that people are getting kicked off flights or their equipment is damaged and/or lost, causing a lot of anxiety and leaving people without any mobility options. It is absurd that this keeps happening.
Air travel is an absolutely daunting experience for those with disabilities, especially if travelling by yourself. However, if you can do it on your own, it is paramount to keep doing it, even though it can be an absolute disaster. Canadian airlines must go to Ottawa to explain to the federal government and the CTA why so many accessibility complaints have been filed against them.
It is time that Airlines are held accountable for their mistakes against people with disabilities. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. This includes those with medical equipment. I really wish I could say this kind of thing was in the past, but I can't because the sad reality is that we have so much more work that has to be done to make these airlines more accessible. The only way airlines will get onboard is by more people with disabilities travelling and forcing the airlines to make changes so everyone has the same opportunity. It is time to keep fighting for equality.
