Placing Blame Doesn't Work

Don’t you just love it when you find out that gaining your own civil rights puts everyone else’s in jeopardy?  The if-we-give-you-this-it-will-ruin-it-for-everyone-else attitude is alive and well.

I cannot count how many times this excuse is given when dealing with access issues.  How many times do we get told that, if accommodations are provided, the costs will be so high that everyone else will suffer?

A recent example is in New York City, where there is a civil suit filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office against the city because of the lack of accessible taxis.   Mayor Bloomberg claims that the suspension of accessible taxis is bad so other riders will be uncomfortable.  Shame on us for making others uncomfortable so that we can be included.

Another claim that the mayor has made is that it will raise costs because of the cost of the modifications and the increased gas costs.  There we go again, making costs higher for everyone else.  He insists that the drivers won’t like them because the larger size makes it more difficult for the driver to communicate with the rider, leading to lower tips.  We really kill the economy with that one. 

Bloomberg also stated that it is too difficult for wheelchair users to hail taxis and that drivers don’t want to pick them up.  Well, it’s good to know that he’s looking out for us.  Right.

If were not enough, Governor Cuomo also got on the bandwagon, stating that having accessible taxis could jeopardize allowing street hails in the burroughs and upper Manhattan. 

So, it’s really clear that we wheelchair users are a royal pain and will cause the collapse of the New York transportation system. 

Their solution is that residents use designated transportation.  Of course, that will not work for tourists visiting New York.  Separate but equal?  Go to the back of the bus?  Does anyone recognize this rhetoric as blatant discrimination? 

It’s time for people to recognize that persons with disabilities are real people, living real lives, contributing to the economy like everyone else.  This is not charity or compassion, but thinking like a smart businessperson.  Include us and you will benefit.  In this case, it would mean that those of us who use wheelchairs, whether as residents and employees or as tourists, add much more than we take.

In the meantime, it’s just great to know that we are to blame for all the troubles of the world. 

Annette Bourbonniere

www.accessing-ability.com

401-846-1960

Fax:  401-846-1944

Twitter:  @AccessInclude