But she had a had every right to be there. As detailed in this article . You see she has a hidden disability just like in my post The Hidden Faces Of Accessibility . Yasmin has idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Many people with this disease don’t live past 17 years old, and it causes fatigue and blackouts. Additionally, she has a permanent IV drip attached to her chest. While finding that note upset her very much, Yasmin decided to use this upsetting event to educate others, and made this Tweet on Twitter along with these photos.
She asked everyone to share it, and it went viral. I am following her wishes and sharing it here with #localguides as part of #accessibilty for #googlemaps. As I posted previously the #handicappedparking hashtag is important for for all disabled individuals, not just those with obvious mobility issues. Please let me know if you have any feedback on this important accessibility issue. @ErmesT@EmekaUlor@AriMar
Thank you for tagging me @lynneannec , and sorry for being a bit absent. I also read your previous post, and what you say is absolutely true.
No one has the right to judge, or to make personal evaluation. In Italy sadly we had several people that was using a parking pass without having the right to use it, but the evaluation must be made by the competent authority, no other people can make his own (wrong) evaluation.
I know perfectly how a disability can be hidden. I am just arrived on my car now, I have picked up mom from the rehabilitation center, I can tell you that I see a lot of different people in there, and it is not always possible to see if a person has some mobility issue.
Thank you so much for your kind words @ErmesT ! accessibility is such an important topic to me on so many levels. As the mother of a disabled adult, aunt of a severe autistic individual with severe seizure disorder, and cousin to another with severe seizures that affect total mobility, as well as having a 95 year old mother, and being an RN Patient Advocate (just to name a few!). I am very passionate about #localguides being as educated as possible about #accessibity in order for #googlemaps to be the best tool for everyone! I know I want to learn and grow, #letsguide !
Thank you @SunshineNY . Whenever I do reviews, I look to see what accessibility hashtags are appropriate for that POI. It is something that I am really passionate about. Is accessibility a focus for you as well? I would love to hear any stories you have.
Hi @lynneannec , I really commend Yasmin on using this situation as an opportunity to create awareness and educate others rather than fuel for anger. Her response speaks much of her character in a positive light.
I’ve come to realize that people are aware that there are hidden disabilities, but many haven’t come to term with the depth of limitations. Speaking from my encounters, there’s this unfortunate perception that if you are not physically affected, whatever restrictions you face is within your realm of control - therefore loses its hierarchy on the priority ladder.
Yes, I agree completely! When my daughter was young, we were often told “she should be able to do more” “ just look at her” by her special education teachers! Even trained educators discriminated against her because in their minds she did not fit the mold of what at that time, they called a “mentally retarded” person. Now we use the term developmentally delayed, which many people have no idea what it means, and therefore further causes difficulties in acceptance of her condition. It isn’t until someone has a longer conversation with her that they realize that she is cognitively 6 years old and chronically 39.
@lynneannec thank you for sharing this post and highlighting unseen disabilities. It is can be emotional for everyone including the enforcement officers (when the discover).
I believe that continous orientation and advocacy will help reduce these challenges faced by PwD.
Sometimes, I sympathize with the officials because in trying to ensure only PwDs benefit from the provisions, they run into trouble executing.
There should be a middle point where all can have an understanding and achieve the main goal of making our society inclusive.
Personally, I think good PR or Customer Service can bridge that gap.
@EmekaUlor Once it gets to the point where the the authorities have been called, at least in the US, the PwD would have their ID card designating them as the owner of the handicapped hang tag or license plate, so there would not be a problem with the authority, just a lot of time wasted, and much humiliation and embarrassment for the PwD caused by their accusers. I often wonder what makes a person believe they have a right to diagnose another person, threaten them and call the authorities on them, based on appearance. A trained physician uses more than appearances to make a complex decision as to whether to sign a certificate stating someone meets the requirements for handicapped parking. Thank you so much for your insightful and thoughtful feedback. As always your knowledge on matters of accessibility is such a help to myself, and all of the #localguiges on Connect.
@lynneannec , you’re very welcome. No, I don’t have any disability but the judgement of the look of some people to other people is unfair but it’s another topic.
