Recognize Extreme Height as a Disability for Public and Personal Accommodations
Recognize Extreme Height as a Disability for Public and Personal Accommodations
The Issue
My husband, standing at 6'10", has spent his life conforming to a world that isn't designed for him. As he approaches his 50th birthday, it's becoming increasingly difficult to acclimate. The last time he was summoned for jury duty, despite requesting seating accommodations in advance, he was ignored. On the day of duty, after being crammed into a school bus seat for 20 minutes, he again asked for seating accommodations only to be laughed at by the Sheriff on duty who told him to "Get ready for an uncomfortable day."
This is not an isolated incident but a daily reality faced by individuals of extreme height. It's time we recognize extreme height as a disability when it comes to public places and personal modifications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), disability affects approximately one in four adults in the United States - that's about 61 million people [1]. While disabilities can take many forms - from mobility issues to cognitive impairments - they all share one thing in common: they impact an individual’s ability to perform important life activities.
People with extreme height face similar challenges every day – from physical discomfort due to inadequate space on public transportation or public seating areas, difficulty driving certain vehicles due their size restrictions or even health issues related with their stature like back problems or circulatory issues [2].
We are calling on lawmakers and regulators across all jurisdictions to recognize extreme height as a disability so that necessary accommodations can be made both publicly and privately. This will ensure equal access and opportunity for everyone regardless of their physical stature.
It is high time we extend our understanding of what constitutes as 'disability' beyond traditional definitions so that everyone can live comfortably without fear of discrimination or discomfort.
Please sign this petition if you believe in equality and inclusivity regardless of height.
Sources:
[1] CDC
[2] National Health Service (NHS)
352
The Issue
My husband, standing at 6'10", has spent his life conforming to a world that isn't designed for him. As he approaches his 50th birthday, it's becoming increasingly difficult to acclimate. The last time he was summoned for jury duty, despite requesting seating accommodations in advance, he was ignored. On the day of duty, after being crammed into a school bus seat for 20 minutes, he again asked for seating accommodations only to be laughed at by the Sheriff on duty who told him to "Get ready for an uncomfortable day."
This is not an isolated incident but a daily reality faced by individuals of extreme height. It's time we recognize extreme height as a disability when it comes to public places and personal modifications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), disability affects approximately one in four adults in the United States - that's about 61 million people [1]. While disabilities can take many forms - from mobility issues to cognitive impairments - they all share one thing in common: they impact an individual’s ability to perform important life activities.
People with extreme height face similar challenges every day – from physical discomfort due to inadequate space on public transportation or public seating areas, difficulty driving certain vehicles due their size restrictions or even health issues related with their stature like back problems or circulatory issues [2].
We are calling on lawmakers and regulators across all jurisdictions to recognize extreme height as a disability so that necessary accommodations can be made both publicly and privately. This will ensure equal access and opportunity for everyone regardless of their physical stature.
It is high time we extend our understanding of what constitutes as 'disability' beyond traditional definitions so that everyone can live comfortably without fear of discrimination or discomfort.
Please sign this petition if you believe in equality and inclusivity regardless of height.
Sources:
[1] CDC
[2] National Health Service (NHS)
352
Petition created on December 5, 2023