Podcast on Wheels - Show 003 [Clean] - Wheelchair Access and Transit Terrors

The episode "Wheelchair Access and Transit Terrors," hosted by Johanna Calderon, details the difficulties and sometimes "terrible" experiences encountered while navigating public transportation in a wheelchair. Calderon recounts frustrating interactions on buses, including passengers refusing to move aside, leading to accidental contact and confrontations, such as one man who wanted to "beat me up" after she accidentally hit him while turning. She shares major transit incidents, including having two females fighting and pulling hair land "on top of me" on the bus, and describes the severe lack of accessible restrooms that led to a highly embarrassing moment when a driver refused to stop, forcing her to defecate into a bag in front of approximately 20 people. Furthermore, Calderon discusses the complex process of using paratransit services (Access), noting the required advanced reservations and paperwork, as well as frequent issues with long wait times - sometimes 45 minutes - and drivers leaving without picking her up (resulting in a "no show"). Finally, she addresses the profound difficulties of air travel, specifically how airline staff often fail to care for expensive power wheelchairs (which can cost between $10,000 and $20,000), recounting an incident where her chair was returned damaged and needed repair from airport food vendors because the proper fix-it team was ineffective.

Music by: bensound.com
License code: XP1EFLXYYXHAD9P3
Artist: : Nick Petrov, Against All Odds

This block of radio was produced at East Los Angeles College's Media Arts Department for KELA Radio. 

The views expressed in this show are those of the authors and do not reflect the official stance of East Los Angeles College.