Is it wrong to pull "rank"?

Question

For example, the bus I take to school is always PACKED. I mean, standing room only, and sometimes people have to be turned away because taking on more standing passengers would be too dangerous. Is it wrong for me to pull rank and say "Three are people sitting in the seating for PWDs who don't have a disability" and making someone stand up for me to sit down? What if it means someone has to get off the bus to let me have a seat?

Another example: My boyfriend and I were at DisneyWorld this last summer (whoo-hoo, fun!). I was in a wheelchair because of various reasons (all legit, related to my disability) so we went into the wheelchair-access line, which was sometimes the same as the fast-pass line. Is it wrong of us to do this if it means that we don't wait in a long line with everyone else?

What do you think, is it wrong to pull rank in these situations and others?

Answer 1

A looonnnnng time ago I used to think it was wrong, but no longer.



How many times has a bus passed me by because they didn't want to bother with the lift? How many times have they said to me the bus was too full and I would have to wait for the next bus while other able-bodied people got on - and the next bus was too full too? How many times have I been late to an event I paid to go to because the lifts would not work or there was no lift? How many times have I had to roll miles back to a hotel on vacation - many of them with my son pushing my scooter as it was out of power as the last bus for the night was too full for me or didn't have a lift?



I now insist on my rights.



How many rides at any amusement park can you not ride when you use a chair? What kind of a discount is offered because you can't access the whole park? How accessible are the ordinary lines to travel through?



If disability gives me a perk, it is welcome because of how many ways in which I am denied equal access in other ways.



When equal access is not just a right, but it exists, these perks MIGHT be wrong to take advantage of, but we are a long way from there now.

Answer 2

I dont think it's wrong when it comes to reserved seating on a bus, reserved parking spots, etc. However, I do think it's unfair to use a wheelchair access lane just to bypass a long line. Is your boyfriend disabled? Are you tired from simply waiting in line?

Answer 3

Well, as long as you are truly using it because you need it. On your 'good days" when you are feeling okay or what not i would save it for those who are always this way and have no choice. But, as for the bus they can't kick someone off the bus just to allow you to sit down or allow the space for you. They should send another bus out.



Edit:



But, how would you know if the people sitting there are not disabled themselves? Maybe they have what you have or something similar. Maybe they are in severe pain too.



just a thought

Answer 4

I don't think you are pulling rank. You have a disability and that's why the Americans with Disabilities Act was introduced. You have every right to ask the driver to let you sit there,...We recently parked in a handicap spot that a lady was standing in while she unlocked her car. She admonished us for parking there,even though we had a parking pass. She said we look too young. Not all disabilities are noticeable , but if she taken a moment to mind her own business she would have seen my husbands problems the minute he got out of the car! Go for it!

Answer 5

When it comes to money and business, yes (if it's not necessary of course. Disability benefits are vital for those who are so disabled they cannot work). Otherwise, absolutely not.

Answer 6

Yes. Handicapped folks always say they want to be treated just like everyone else. That means YOU don't get the seat on the bus and you wait in the long a$$ line with the rest of us. I think it is the WORST kind of hypocrisy when people who are physically disabled in some manner, whether permanent or temporary, say they can manage on their own but then whine about NOT getting some special little perk that they don't really need.

Answer 7

No. It is NOT wrong to "Pull PWD Rank" / "Pull Disability Rank" in these situations and others.



If people without Disabilities are sitting in PWD Reserved Seating for PWDs, you have the (ADA) right to request to sit in PWD Reserved Seating.



If you are in a wheelchair because of various legitimate Disability reasons, you do have the (ADA) right to go into the wheelchair-access line.



I do "Pull PWD Rank" / "Pull Disability Rank" when it is needed and necessary due to various acquired physical Disabilities.



Example: I have always "Pulled PWD Rank" / "Pulled Disability Rank" at the bank by requesting a "bank money order" at the bank drive through window in which the bank has always accommodated me in my request. (It is difficult for me to walk / stand due to pain.) It is always "bank official policy" to obtain bank money order inside the bank at the bank teller desk/window and not through the bank drive through window.



Example: I have "Pulled PWD Rank" / "Pulled Disability Rank" at the free flu mass walk-in clinic by using the PWD waiting line instead of the regular waiting line. I did not have my handicapped scooter with me that day. I was in a lot of pain that day and just barely able to walk and could only stand up for about 3 or 4 minutes at a time due to the pain that day.



Example: I have "Pulled PWD Rank" / "Pulled Disability Rank" at a large public dinner at a local festival. I did not have my handicapped scooter with me that night. I was in a lot of pain and just barely able to walk and could only stand up for about 3 or 4 minutes at a time due to the pain. My father was also with me and was using a walker (my father has age-related Disabilities / Parkinson's Disease) and my only child was also with me and was extremely excited and active which made it difficult for me to keep my child under control due to my pain. (My child has Autism and Mental Retardation.) My father had bought 3 folding lawn chairs for us to use while waiting in line but I was unable to deal with the folding lawn chairs due to my pain. Due to everything that night, I made the decision to "Pull PWD Rank" / "Pull Disability Rank" for all 3 of us and made the request for all 3 of us to cut to the front of the waiting line and to go inside the building to eat in which the festival dinner officials did accommodate my request for all three of us.



Example: I have "Pulled PWD Rank" / "Pulled Disability Rank" by parking in Handicapped Parking Space due to difficulty for me to walk / stand due to pain and having deformed feet/ankles. I almost always have my Handicapped Scooter with me and I need access to a Handicapped Parking Space with a Handicapped Parking Access Aisle in order to unload my Handicapped Scooter.



To moose: The poster of the question is "Pulling PWD Rank" / "Pulling Disability Rank" by using various Disabilities accommodations that is only available to PWDs and not to Non-PWDs (PWODs) (Outsiders).



To mcq316: I have posted some cases on why I have "Pulled PWD Rank" / "Pulled Disability Rank" all with legitimate Disability reasons. If YOU was in my shoes, YOU would "Pull PWD Rank" / "Pull Disability Rank" if YOU was in my personal circumstances.