A far cry from an activist on the issue, I rarely speak of my disability. But I am compelled to do so after a recent experience on the number 39 bus. I have taken this bus walking, on crutches, on a knee walker, and in a wheelchair, and I have often been in awe of the disregard for others that people routinely exhibit.
Last week, entirely dependent on crutches, I stood on the bus for 25 minutes. All the while, seemingly able-bodied individuals sat in the four priority seats and surrounding seats without batting an eyelid. Perhaps I was invisible to them. It wouldn’t have been the first time I felt that way; nor will it be the last.
Comments
You need to ask for the seat.
People will comply, but the "I'm invisible, you're invisible, no eye contact," code of conduct pertains on the T and buses even if you are on crutches. "Excuse me, but as you can see, I need a seat," will often have several people immediately standing to make the offer.
When I hurt my back, even after I no longer needed a cane I carried one. This was to make my request for a seat immediately understandable to my fellow passengers.
No. The person who is able bodied needs to survery the inside of the bus or subway car each and every time before they sit down: Are there extra seats available for an elderly or disabled person? Is there someone standing who ought to be offered a seat?
Every passenger has the obligation to look around before sitting down, and to make sure they don't miss a disabled or elderly person entering the car or bus.
I am not kidding. It should be automatic.
Martha and Kate - you're both right. People should be aware of those around them and show some courtesy to those who need accomadations. Those who need the accomadations need to be pro-active enough on their own behalf to say something if no one else takes the initiative.
I agree w/Kate2468. People are in their own bubble on the bus, but whenever I've been injured, it takes only a polite, "Could someone give me a seat, please?" to instantly be offered a choice of seats.
It would be nice if everyone was on alert for the disabled, but that's just not the way of the T. If you want to silently seethe because you have to stand, that's fine, but be aware that it's very easy to get a seat if you're willing to make the smallest of efforts.
What? The able bodied person needs to make "the smallest of efforts", not the writer! I can't believe what you just wrote.
Perhaps the writer did ask for a seat, we will never know. The point is she should have to ask - not only is there a giant blue sign but the crutches are a giant red flag that she shouldn't be standing, let alone on a bus.
*Excuse the typo - she should NOT have to ask.
I absolutely do not agree that the person with a visible disability should be expected to have to speak up.
The way I was raised was that whenever I, or my siblings, took public transportation we were supposed to make a point, a deliberate point, to be at all times (this is no exaggeration) aware of - TO SCOUT OUT, to look for - the presence of a person with a disability, a pregnant woman, a parent with a young child, an elderly person, etc. And then to immediately rise (not just offer, but to physically get up) and then to show this seat to the person who really needs it. This is how I was raised and how many others were raised.
I am truly dismayed that others were not raised that way.
The writer is entirely reasonable and appropriate in her desire for people to OFFER, to INITIATE, giving up their seat for her. She should not have to ask! She should not be placed into that position! Why is it that people don't get that? It is very, very important that she should not be expected to ask for a seat! Very! That is a major piece of this issue!
It would be nice if everyone were raised that way, and I try to notice people who need seats, too. However, if I am reading or working, I'm focused on something else, I can miss a new passenger in need quite easily.
It's silly silently blame other people for not offering a seat when you can do something about it. Lots of folks will happily do so if you just ask. You are making out people to be more evil than they really are.