Access Shouldn’t Be Uncertain:
Tae’s Story
One thing I wish more people understood about living with a disability is that planning ahead does not mean we are being demanding. It simply means we are trying to make sure the basic things needed to participate are actually available.
When I travel or go somewhere new, there is often a great deal of preparation involved. That preparation might include reserving an accessible vehicle, confirming entrances and pathways, or asking questions in advance to make sure a space can truly accommodate me. Most people never see that preparation. They only see the moment when someone asks for an accommodation and may assume the person has an attitude or is being difficult.
In reality, those questions and requests come from experience. Even when you plan carefully and do everything right, accessibility is not always guaranteed when you arrive. Something that was reserved or promised may not be available. A space that claimed to be accessible may fall short. When that happens, the responsibility to figure out what to do next often falls on the person with the disability rather than the business or organization involved.
This is something many people in the disability community face every day. The intention to be inclusive may exist, but too often accessibility stops at the bare minimum, or it is not considered at all. Whether it is a workplace, a community event, or a team-building activity, accessibility should be part of the planning from the very beginning so that everyone can fully participate.
Planning ahead should not feel like a burden, and asking for access should never be misunderstood as being demanding. For many of us, it is simply what it takes to show up, contribute, and be part of the experience—just like everyone else.
Through my work with the SEND Foundation (Stroke, Epilepsy, and Disability Foundation), I have seen how powerful true accessibility and support can be. SEND exists to support, empower, nourish, and deliver resources to individuals with disabilities so they can live fuller, more visible lives in their communities. When access is built into our spaces, programs, and conversations, we move beyond awareness and into real inclusion.
Accessibility should never be uncertain. Accessibility should never feel like a question mark at the end of someone’s plan. It should be a promise built into the beginning. It should be something people can rely on. Inclusion begins long before someone arrives. Real accessibility means the path has already been cleared so everyone can move forward together.
Tae
