‘It’s an extension of my body’ – Accessibility advocate in Toronto calls on airlines to allow mobile devices on flights after being taken off Air Canada plane

A Toronto woman who vlogs about navigating air travel in her motorized wheelchair says airlines need to do more to meet the needs of people who need help getting around after she had to be taken off a plane.

Twenty-six-year-old Tori Hunter recently flew to Liberia, Costa Rica from Toronto on Air Canada and had to be carried down the stairs from the plane on a broken chair because there was no bridge or accessible way to disembark.

A video of the incident, shared by Hunter on her TikTok page last week, had nearly 11 million views at the time of posting.

@torihunter.blog It’s World Accessibility Awareness Day, so it seems like an appropriate day to share what happened on my flight to Costa Rica last week. It was me, being carried up the stairs on a broken aisle chair – without armrests, straps that wouldn’t tighten enough to support my body, and with the front wheels torn off. You can see from my face how distraught and completely terrified I was. The people sent to help me disembark were probably not trained in this; they kept having to put the chair down because they didn’t have the right grip, and they kept the chair completely on its side (hence my dad trying his best to hold my head so it wouldn’t fall completely over). We didn’t speak the same language, so they continued without understanding my repeated “no”. I have never felt so out of control and disconnected from my body in my life. I was never informed that I would have to disembark the plane this way and it never even crossed my mind considering this airport DOES use jet bridges. In fact, all the other planes around us were attracted to them. I love sharing my journey as a wheelchair user because I truly believe there are so many things in this world that are accessible and I want to inspire people to experience it. However, this is one of those cases in which traveling with a disability is unfortunately not so glamorous. It’s 2024, people with disabilities deserve a more dignified and safe way to fly. #rightsonflights @Air Canada ♬ original sound – Tori Hunter | Disabled travel

“This is me, being carried up the stairs on a broken aisle chair – with no armrests, straps that weren’t tight enough to support my body, and the front wheels torn off,” Hunter wrote in the video’s caption.

Hunter was born with a neuromuscular disease called spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic condition that gradually weakens muscles over time.

The young accessibility activist relies entirely on a wheelchair and described it to Now Toronto as “an extension of my body,” but said airlines still do not provide mobility devices to travelers.

On Friday, Air Canada told Now Toronto in an email statement that it was unaware of Hunter’s experience until she shared it on TikTok.

“We have no record of this customer contacting us regarding her concerns, which we only became aware of following her social media posts,” the airline said.

“Using the bridge is always the preferred option for both our customers, especially those with disabilities, and for us. Unfortunately, this was not an option in Costa Rica for this flight,” he added.

“However, as part of our accessibility plan, we will review airport procedures, including those for smaller overseas stations, to work with local airports and other partners to find ways to provide more consistent service,” Air Canada concluded.

For Hunter and others like her, planning a trip that involves flying can be extremely stressful and time-consuming because, unlike non-motorized wheelchairs, her wheelchair is considered cargo and must therefore be loaded as luggage, which in turn immobilizes her.

“Air travel is the only form of public transportation that has not yet found a way to make it accessible,” Hunter explained.

“When I’m in a taxi, bus, tram or train, I can stay connected to my mobile device at all times. Unfortunately, this does not apply to air travel,” she continued.

Hunter recalls a recent 12-hour trip to Hawaii where she was confined to an airplane seat the entire trip because she couldn’t board the plane in a wheelchair.

This meant she couldn’t use the bathroom for the entire flight.

The inability to move also posed a number of risks to her health, including bedsores and severe pain.

“I often have to dehydrate in the days before a flight because I know I won’t have access to a toilet,” she explained.

The Hunter wheelchair is highly adapted to her body and provides support for her neck and scoliosis.

“There are many things we need to consider when deciding to fly,” Hunter said.

But Hunter says she’s seen signs of progress.

“There is an organization called Rights on Flights that has done a lot of promotional work to make air travel more accessible and empower people to stay on their mobile devices. And I think it was Delta Airlines that created their first prototype of an airplane where people can stay on their mobile device. That’s why the talks are ongoing,” she added.

Hunter admitted that the staff sent to help her off the plane to Costa Rica were not to blame for the incident.

“Ultimately, (airlines) care more about profits than people’s safety,” she concluded.