Empowering Accessibility
©Disney
A life-altering car accident left Katie Rodriguez Banister quadriplegic. She spent months in the hospital and in rehabilitation, but Katie was not deterred. In the 34 years since her accident, she has transformed her adversity into strength, becoming a speaker, author, and the founder of Access-4-All, advocating for a more accessible society. Through her work with Access-4-All, she’s consulted at many attractions, helping guide them to greater inclusivity.
Katie Rodriguez Banister. Photo by Bradley J. Rohlf
She also got married. On her honeymoon, Katie and her husband went to Walt Disney World. She traveled with her husband and a personal care attendant. With their help and the support of Disney employees, she was able to transfer to most of the rides. While there, she felt included. She says, “It was a really good experience going out and being able to participate. I felt fully included in the experience. It didn't make me feel as disabled as I really am. That made a huge difference.”
She was injured in 1990, the same year the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. While she has noticed some improvements since then, she notes there’s still work to be done. “We need the laws. We need people to be educated.”
The need for education, awareness of cultural differences, and staff training was apparent to Katie while consulting at an attraction. Everything was going fine until she approached an employee in the gift shop for help. Katie explains, “I approached one of the employees, and she immediately walked away. I repeatedly rolled over to her, and she kept walking away. I was not mad, but I think in her culture, people with disabilities are not as included as they are in America.”
Katie also explains that if you can't understand someone with a communicative disability, like a speech impairment, it’s okay. Admit you don't understand and get help. Everyone deserves to be heard.
Katie encourages using people-first language and understanding that people with disabilities are looking for the same experiences as everyone else. She says, “Can we just say ‘people with disabilities’ and think positively? Stop believing those adages that disability is a dead end. I am very successful, and I have a lot of friends with disabilities who are too. Concentrate on what we can do. There’s a common misconception that people with disabilities are powerless, but others should look at how people with disabilities are embracing life and out having fun!”
Katie at the St. Louis Zoo
Beyond training, the physical space can also be built to be more welcoming. Personal care is of paramount concern for many people with disabilities. It requires time, space, and privacy. Many attractions, including airports, do not have spaces that accommodate these needs. That means a person who needs them either needs to skip the experience entirely or limit their time at the attraction. Katie explains, “When the St. Louis Zoo got a first aid station, it was wonderful. I only have about a three-hour window on my bladder before I have to lay down and empty it using a catheter, so having the first aid station was a game changer. I was able to take care of my personal care and then stay and enjoy a full day.” She gives bonus points for attractions with an electric bench that raises to meet an adult changing table, which allows her to transfer comfortably.
Adult changing tables make destinations more accessible. Photo Credit: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Katie has another suggestion, “You need to hire people with disabilities. Not just part-time, but hire full-time people. They’re smart. They’re creative! There are people with disabilities out there who have engineering degrees or are architects. The people creating attractions constantly need to have checks and balances with people with physical, sensory, cognitive or psychiatric disabilities.”
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