Carly Fleischmann, American Airlines And An IPad

From Carly Fleischmann’s Facebook page:

Dear American airlines, I have been on an airplane over 26 times in my life. I’ve never had a problem being on the airplane before. However on my way back from LA this year I was met up with the challenge. I am nonverbal however I communicate using my iPad and my computer. Every time I have ever traveled I’ve always been allowed to keep my iPad on my lap before takeoff and juring landing. My iPad to me is like a voice. Can you imagine being on the airplane and benign asked not to talk for over 25 minutes. When the flight attendants comes around to tell people to turn off all electronic devices it then takes the airplane a while to taxi to the take off strip. I’d like to add at this point that it’s statistically proven that 45% of all plane malfunctions are spotted by passengers and not the pilots. Imagine I heard something or saw something and I was unable to comment or say that something was wrong. You are not just putting me in danger by not letting me use an iPad you are putting the whole plane in danger. Also a lot of times any self injuries or problems with the passengers are caused during takeoff and landing. If I’m not able to tell anybody that I’m hurt or injured because I don’t have a voice I am in trouble. I am stating all this because on my plane flight back to Toronto. I was asked by the stewardess to turn off my iPad and put it away. When my add told her that I needed it to communicate she started fighting with us. It was not until the captain got involved and agreed that this was a crucial thing for me that I was allowed to keep my iPad. The flight intended still insisted that I put it in front of my seat out of my reach. I was watching the stewardess on the flight the whole trip. She did not stop talking. Imagine asking her not to talk for over 50 minutes. Do you really think she can do it? After watching her I don’t think she could. She stated to me that it was the policy of the airlines that i couldn’t have my iPad and that with all her years of flying that she’s never seen or heard anybody using an iPad to communicate before. But the captain agreed that this is a crucial thing for me. I spoke with the captain during customs and he said that there was no reason why shouldn’t be allowed my iPad. Your policies and procedures need to be changed when it comes to people traveling with autism. I think it’s something for you guys to take a look at. More people with autism are traveling with iPads and small computers. It’s crucial that their voice be heard and that they’re able to express themselves the same way other passengers can. Like I said before this is the only airlines I’ve ever flown that I’ve had trouble with. All other airlines have agreed that this is a crucial thing for someone with autism. With Wi-Fi and other technology out on airplanes. No stewardess or captain should be complaining about someone with autism using the iPad to communicate. The only answer this airline stewardess could give me was that it was against American airlines policy to have my iPad out. But I’m not like any other passenger. I have autism and my iPad acts as a augmentative devices that allows me to communicate and be heard. I use my iPad during security to ask for further instructions, I use my iPad well waiting for my airplane and ask the reception people when the flights going to take off, I use my iPad on the airplane to tell them if there’s something wrong with my seat or my seatbelt or with the airplane. I am begging you as a active passenger on your flights to change your policy when it comes to dealing with people with autism and other special needs. Its time for you to move with the times and understand that a iPad is not just for fun it’s for people who really need it too. I would love the opportunity and chance to speak to you and your employees and teach you all about autism and special things you can you do for people traveling with autism. There are more people now in days traveling with autism than ever before. I think it’s time that your Airline and your policies change with the times. Don’t you? For everyone reading this please express your comments and your concerns. I want to hear what you think?

Thanks to Matthew Smith for the info.

All I have to say to the flight attendant is that there is a reason she has never seen such a thing before. There are very few disabled adults who are non verbal and can afford an Ipad. Most people who fly with Ipads are not non verbal. But there is a first time for everything.