Hidden Disabilities

Each month we try to address various accessibility issues that may arise within the TravelAbility community. 

November’s scenario: 

You see a guest approaching the door in a wheelchair with packages in her lap. It looks like opening the door may be a struggle. Do you: 

1. Rush to open the door before she gets stuck
2. Look away: you don’t want to offend or step on her independence
3. Ask if there’s anything you can do to help
4. Something else

Responses:

This question revealed a lot of uncertainty in how to respond to the disability community. Comments like, “I’m actually not sure. I know if it was a pregnant woman or elderly person I’d probably just open the door because it’s nice and polite. But sometimes I feel like with a person with a disability, in a wheelchair, blind, etc., that I’d need to ask if they need a hand first” remind us that a lack of awareness is stunting our kindness.

Our own Tricia Roth, DIrector of Marketing and Engagement for TravelAbility recommends you, “don’t assume the guest needs help – ask. If a package does drop down, offer to pick it up – just as you would with someone not in a wheelchair.”

While responses from the hospitality community and other would-be door openers were split pretty evenly between just opening the door and asking to open the door, responses from within the disability community were a little more diverse.

While responses from the hospitality community and other would-be door openers were split pretty evenly between just opening the door and asking to open the door, responses from within the disability community were a little more diverse.

Overall social media responses

Comments ranged from, “PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR. it’s not about being in a wheelchair, (which I am) it’s human decency” to “the assumption that we need help can be off putting.”

Other responses included:

From a wheelchair user’s perspective, I always appreciate when people ask and don’t assume. I can tell you that in my wobbly walking days, I often used doors for balance, and if someone opened one without asking, I’d fall.

As an ambulatory wheelchair user – ask – whether I’m in the chair or if I’m walking. It helps give us autonomy and independence if we want it

I would be happy with them opening the door for me as a wheelchair user, especially with packages in my lap. They don’t need to rush like it’s a 911 emergency because sometimes then I feel pressure to rush through the door and then risk dropping the package and also I feel like I’ve inconvenienced them more. And then there’s the question about how the door is held open. Standing in the doorway to hold it open is always awkward. Making a casual comment like you would to anyone else who has their hands full could be nice too, “Can I get the door, you’re carrying quite a bit!” Also, if there is an automatic door opener, they can just hit that for us so the door is already opening when we approach and the path is wide open (but wait for a second to make sure the button actually works). 

If this is for the hospitality industry, then I’m wondering why the front door to the establishment isn’t accessible in the first place. I mean, it’s fine if someone politely asks to open the door for me, but an automated door would be accessible to anyone carrying packages, whether they are a wheelchair user or not. And those heavy outside doors? Very difficult to open from a wheelchair even without packages in your lap.

In SummaryThere is no one-size approach. Personality and preference impact the players on both sides of the door. Overall, it seems best to offer assistance and graciously accept whatever response is received. You can read more of the conversation, here.