Thread by @maayanziv

One year ago my life changed after an airline damaged my wheelchair beyond repair.

Out of sheer desperation and frustration I shared my vulnerable truth online.

The world responded with overwhelming support, outrage, and advocacy. #RightsOnFlights 🧵

The press shared my story all around the world.

Many disabled people have shared similar stories of their own barriers in air travel all over social media.

A few months later @sophmorgTV faced similar treatment by a different airline.

Then #RightsOnFlights was born.

@sophmorgTV @Delta announced a partnership with Air 4 All @flyingdisabled to allow disabled passengers to stay in their wheelchairs on board.

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled .@USDOT announced a bill of rights/new regulations that will enhance protections for disabled people, including braille on board and accessible washrooms on single aisle planes.

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled @USDOT .@Transport_gc @CQualtro @OmarAlghabra @Stephanie4BC and @CdnHumanRights issued statements calling for action in Canadian government.

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled @USDOT @Transport_gc @CQualtro @OmarAlghabra @Stephanie4BC @CdnHumanRights .@MD_Canada and @AccessNowApp launched a global survey to document the experiences and barriers disabled travellers face.

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled @USDOT @Transport_gc @CQualtro @OmarAlghabra @Stephanie4BC @CdnHumanRights @MD_Canada @AccessNowApp .@USATODAY @zlwichter launched a study covering the stories of people who have experienced discrimination by airlines.

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled @USDOT @Transport_gc @CQualtro @OmarAlghabra @Stephanie4BC @CdnHumanRights @MD_Canada @AccessNowApp @USATODAY @zlwichter .@sxsw hosted and promoted a radical talk by @sophmorgTV and myself activating the travel industry to commit to accessible solutions.

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled @USDOT @Transport_gc @CQualtro @OmarAlghabra @Stephanie4BC @CdnHumanRights @MD_Canada @AccessNowApp @USATODAY @zlwichter @sxsw Most recently @TimDRose and NJ Foster won their multi-year legal battles after being denied/catastrophically injured boarding aircrafts.

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled @USDOT @Transport_gc @CQualtro @OmarAlghabra @Stephanie4BC @CdnHumanRights @MD_Canada @AccessNowApp @USATODAY @zlwichter @sxsw @TimDRose And these are only a few initiatives that have happened this year alone. There are thousands more that have activated globally rallying to end the mistreatment and harm that people with disabilities face in air travel.

#RightsOnFlights

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled @USDOT @Transport_gc @CQualtro @OmarAlghabra @Stephanie4BC @CdnHumanRights @MD_Canada @AccessNowApp @USATODAY @zlwichter @sxsw @TimDRose Mobility devices are damaged 29 times a day in the US alone. My story is one of too many. We deserve better.

One year later I am so proud and optimistic that changes are coming that will protect the rights and safety of disabled people in air travel #RightsOnFlights

@sophmorgTV @Delta @flyingdisabled @USDOT @Transport_gc @CQualtro @OmarAlghabra @Stephanie4BC @CdnHumanRights @MD_Canada @AccessNowApp @USATODAY @zlwichter @sxsw @TimDRose Know of another story or initiative working to create #RightsOnFlights? Share below in this thread ⬇️