Why Flying with a Wheelchair Is a Civil Rights Issue

Despite existing laws and regulations intended to protect the rights of people with disabilities to fly on airlines, travelers with wheelchairs and medical equipment face obstacles to enjoying the freedom of movement others take for granted. Neglectful handling of equipment, lack of training, and failure to adequately accommodate these travelers have led to a public call for airlines to do more to recognize the rights of people with disabilities. We spoke to Global Genes’ Director of Community Engagement Daniel DeFabio and Founder and President of The Jansen’s Foundation Neena Nizar, about the challenges disabled airline passengers face, what the law says, and why this is a civil rights issue.