Celebrating Disability Pride Month: History, Meaning, and Events
Disability Pride Month July is Disability Pride Month! It is a month to celebrate being disabled, people who are disabled, and/or the achievements of the disabled community—it’s up to each individual to decide why they celebrate Disability Pride Month. For centuries, throughout society, people were isolated, ridiculed, or even killed for their disability status. […]
Wheelchair Users Face New Challenges as Airlines Fight Accessibility Rule
Wheelchair Users Face New Challenges as Airlines Fight Accessibility Rule UPDATE: As of October 2025, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to delay enforcement of key wheelchair-travel protections for another 15 months. Editor’s note: This article was inspired by a recent report in The New York Times (June 20, 2025) on airlines’ legal challenges to […]
U.S. Airlines Challenge New Disability Travel Rule
U.S. Airlines Challenge New Disability Travel Rule A group of leading U.S. airlines is pushing back against a recently implemented federal regulation designed to enhance the travel experience for passengers with disabilities. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and their industry association, Airlines for America (A4A), have filed a petition with […]
DOT’s New Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities: What You Need to Know
DOT’s New Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities: What You Need to Know Editor’s Note (January 16, 2025): This post was originally published in December 2024, ahead of the implementation of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s groundbreaking new protections for airline passengers with disabilities. As of today, these long-awaited rules are officially in effect, marking […]
Celebrating Disability Leaders and Trailblazers This International Day
Celebrating Leaders and Trailblazers on International Day of Persons with Disabilities “International Day of….” Three simple words that precede a vast array of topics and demographics, each enjoying its moment of recognition and celebration. Some of these days verge on the silly or trivial, like “International Day of Awesomeness” (March 10th) or “International Beer Lover’s […]
BREAKING NEWS: Improved Wheelchair Accessibility in Aircraft Set to Become Reality in 2025
In a monumental development for accessible air travel, the FAA has announced that wheelchair spaces in aircraft cabins are on the horizon, with safety approvals expected as early as 2025. This advancement marks a significant victory for disabled travelers, who have long been advocating for equal access to air travel. The FAA has been rigorously […]
Airline Damaged Your Wheelchair? Here’s What to Do!
Airline Damaged Your Wheelchair? Here’s What to Do! Personal Experience: In my lifetime, I’ve been fortunate to take close to 100 flights, and I’m thankful to say that none of my wheelchairs have been damaged. I realize this puts me in a small minority—many wheelchair users have not been as lucky. Stories wheelchairs […]
Calls for Reasonable Accommodation for Recumbent Trike on Mackinac Island
A.I.R. (Advocacy. Inclusion. Representation) I wrote this editorial in response to what I perceive is a violation of my civil rights. MackinacIsland has not allowed combustible-type engines (except for emergency vehicles) for over onehundred years. Cycles and horses are the main forms of transportation. The Michigan ACLU has received my claim against the City of […]
Disability Discrimination at Airport Security: A TSA Nightmare
During a recent trip, Julia Betancourt flew out of Newark Liberty International Airport and had a horrendous experience when passing through TSA. Here she tells of how the airport experience in general is often incredibly discriminatory for people living with disabilities.