Anyone who has had a disability for any length of time can recount dozens of times they’ve been told either a) something couldn’t be done to include them or b) the person with a disability shouldn’t be trying to do something.
That’s complete and utter rubbish.
The frank truth is that most people don’t like doing extra work.
– They don’t want to wash the wheels on wheelchairs so people who use wheelchairs can go on roller or ice skating rinks for year-end school parties. They would rather tell us “oh, you shouldn’t be doing that activity” or “sorry we can’t take that risk”
– They don’t want to get quotes on boards to put down on lawns so people with mobility challenges can attend graduations being held on football fields. They would rather tell us “watch the graduation on zoom.”
– They don’t want to dig out a ramp from the back room for the coffee shop in NYC that has steps out front.
– They would rather take care of the needs of the one person they know has a disability, rather than think about all the people who haven’t been comfortable disclosing their disabilities.
Stop belittling our requests for equitable treatment.
Start behaving inclusively so everyone can equally benefit.
If you are in the US and can’t do those two things?
Don’t get surprised when your business gets a demand letter or ends up in court.
The only person who should get to decide what a person with a disability can do should be that person with a disability.
Alt: When someone tells you something is impossible because of your disability…
… Take that as an express invitation to show them how it’s done.