Transport committee  Having advisers from the disability community is not the answer. One of the problems with advice is that they can take it or leave it. It doesn't empower the community of people with disabilities to bring forward the solutions or identify the barriers and expect them to change that.

Transport committee  Thank you.

Transport committee  You have to have oversight with teeth.

Transport committee  One of the things is the flat screen in front of you, when you are seated in the airplane. I can't use it. It has 90% of the information about what's going on on that airplane. It isn't a talking screen, and it's flat. There are no buttons to push. I pay the same fare as any other customer on that plane, yet I can't use that.

Transport committee  Yes.

Transport committee  For me, it's 95% of the time. In fact, I can't remember one trip where there wasn't a major issue for me, either almost missing my flight or being parked somewhere. It's almost every time. Again, as David said, we are spending an inordinate amount of time training the staff.

Transport committee  In the airline industry, there are gaps right from the time you try to get online and book a ticket. Most of us have to then go to the medical desk. Depending on who's on that desk and how they feel that day, there is no consistent way that the regulations are even looked at. They look at their own personal policies.

Transport committee  I think it is. The attitude is different. I've noticed that in the last few months that I've travelled. What I'm noticing, too, is that they're not empowered to make decisions on the ground when something comes up with a person with a disability. You say, “I need this”, and they say that they don't know if they're allowed to take you to get something to eat.

Transport committee  I'll leave it there for now. I'd love to answer any questions.

Transport committee  Thank you for letting me know that. Many people like to use the mute button with me. Thank you for having me here. I have been involved in the federal transportation industry and disability since 1979. I was so happy when we finally got regulations, not voluntary codes of practice, which went into effect on June 25, 2020.