As of August 31st I am now safely in a homeless shelter, where I have been independently walking my service dog (wheeling), and doing more of my own care and chores.  I have accomodations here. Now I can contribute.

The week leading up to arriving at the shelter, a gofundme was keeping me alive a hotel, helping me extend my stay until I could get to the shelter. 

On the day of incident, I hadn't eaten in three days and I’m stuck in a hotel room I am paying for with the help of donors from GFM, and here they refuse to bring food to my room

Why can't I "just come get it?"

Because pushing my wheelchair on the carpet with my broken arm is impossible. The last time I was here, I broke my arm in two places, so getting around isn’t just hard—it’s painful and nearly impossible. My occupational therapy hasn't covered how to manage on carpet yet, and I'm stuck waiting for a new wheelchair. Yet, when I ask for my meals in my room, I get excuses or just plain ignored. And the halls are almost too narrow for my larger chair to fit. 

The morning of the incident, I stood up for myself, saying, “I haven’t eaten because I can’t come get the food,” and was told it would be brought, and after an hour I called back and asked again, and a different worker said "we don't do room service I've told you.  The one time we did was because we felt nice.".

I explained my limitations.  Then I explained reasonable access means I have access to the same thing the public does.  At this hotel. The breakfast is included with the price of the room, which I was paying, and the final response I got was verbatim, "well.  I guess you better call the cops then, hunh?" 

This is not just about me. It's about all of us who are tired of being told we must fend for ourselves in placesthat promote accessibility when, really, it's only there to meet legal standards. When they actually meet a disabled person no one knows the policy, what to do, how to act, or what the ADA even says. 

We’re not asking for special treatment; we’re asking for equal treatment.

Accessible dining services for any disabled person regardless of need, is essential. If a blind customer needs their food cut, cut it for them. That isn't special treatment, it's reasonable accomodation. Wheelchair users like me, and blind and visually impaired folk aren't the only ones affected. This is a problem I personally see throughout the entire disabled community nationwide.  

Whether that's room delivery for those who can't make it to the dining area or other means that cater to different disabilities, the people in charge of promoting their accessability absolutely need to do better. If you are a going to promote your business as accessible, you need to be knowledgeable on the ADA, reasonable accomodations, and train your staff how to interact with disabled individuals. 

It’s about dignity, respect, and basic human rights. No one should have to go hungry because they physically can't get to their meal.

Being told "you have access. Its in the lobby.  Come get it" isn't reasonable access. It's not reasonable.  And. I certainly didn't get access. 

I am calling on all public business, public spaces, hotels, theme parks, and even shopping centers, to implement these changes immediately: mandate room service or alternative food delivery services for those who need them

Sign this petition to demand that businesses provide basic accessible dining services for their customers or patrons. Your signature brings us one step closer to safe, functional independence and dignity for everyone. Thank you.