Travelling today. Airport security at the disabled line told me I can “just use these next time”, gesturing to the regular automated gates.
When I followed the accessible entrance, I found it was routed to come out into the general security area, with the big crowd that goes with it.
It seems the only difference is the wider gate, to fit a wheelchair.
Back at the entrance, I said to security, look I use this line because it’s usually separate. I get anxious in big crowds, and I can’t really tolerate it right now.
Security said to me, gesturing towards the hall: “look we have all these people right now, so we can’t have a separate place to keep it separate, because it would slow things down”
I told them “that’s why it’s an accommodation. Because it’s not the usual”. Security acted very put out, but did eventually help me out.
I don’t always have the spoons to fight. Many people I know never do. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have needs.
#InvisibleDisabilities are disabilities. The #sunflowerLanyard I wear isn’t for fashion, it’s to make that visible. People don’t always have the spoons to stand up.
I don’t have to convince you I have a disability. There’s more - a lot more - to accessible spaces than physical movement concerns. Your staff should be looking actively for ways to help, not waiting for people to take up a fight they might not be able to.
I’m ok. Decompressing in the bathroom because they don’t have a quiet spot.
@loops Airport lines are the ideal place for a terrorist to attack, therefore reasonable security policy will ever allow people who queue until after they are fully passed security. Thus we know your story is a lie. QED
What I'm getting from this is that you've never been in an airport. There's always a line at security. In the US, at Heathrow, at Munich airport, there's a line. Seen it with my own two eyes.
there is a reason I finished with big sigh. I'm told Israel doesn't have airport security lines for the above reason (but the only person I ever knew who as flown out of Israel died in 1995 so who knows what is current)
@loops@actuallyautistic I had a similarly annoying situation on the Eurostar from London to Paris recently. I was wearing my Autism awareness sunflower lanyard but was manhandled, jostled, had my suitcase grabbed from my hand, then my wife was shouted at for "leaving me behind" I had just enough spoons left over to raise my voice and tell the guy I wasn't an invalid and didn't need someone to hold my hand and I was more than capable of putting a case on a conveyor belt !!
@DoctorDisco@actuallyautistic ouch, that sounds like a pretty bad day. After security I went to information desk to ask who I could say something to. Not having disability separate is new for the airport in question. Helpful as the information desk person was, they told me I should book special assistance next time and have someone guide me. I told them I don’t need an escort, I’m quite capable on my own. They seemed surprised.