The vulnerability of disabled people stems from ableism more than disability.

“We have decided to give you access.” Access and accommodation are not charitable gifts to disabled people. It is doing the right thing because, for too long, the excluders have denied disabled people entry, opportunity and participation.

Me, a wheelchair user, to 3 people standing & talking on curb ramp: “Can I get get down the ramp?” Person: “Can’t you see we’re talking?” Me: “If you stay on the ramp, I can’t cross the street.” Person: “You can’t wait until we’re done? That’s rude.” Seeking access is not rude.

Stranger at bus stop to me, a wheelchair user: “I don’t get it. Why would you take the bus when you could get those door-to-door handicapped vans?” Me: “I want access to all forms of transit. I refuse to be limited to a separate, segregated, inferior mode of transit.”

Building employee: “The elevator is out of service. It may take a few weeks to fix it.” For disabled people, a broken lift/elevator is not an inconvenience. It is an emergency and should be treated as such.