DC – Not in Kansas Anymore

“Working on Wheels” © 2026 pwrchr-dorothy

When I became a power chair user, I had to make changes – both at home and work. I was working at the National Air and Space Museum in DC when I became a power chair user. Thankfully, the museum was mostly ADA-compliant, and when obstacles arose, I embraced adaptation. And Just like at home, I found solutions that helped me continue to perform my duties.

When I became a power chair user, the most I needed to do at work initially was to get my office furniture rearranged, so I had room to maneuver my power chair. I also chose to get a lift on my chair which raised the seat a foot. I was responsible for maintaining the contents of the image binders of my department’s RPIF and the lift allowed me to reach the binders on the higher shelves.

EXHIBIT DISPLAYS

Another one of my responsibilities was the management of my department’s exhibit displays. Consisting of 20 flat screens, these displays were spread out between two galleries, Looking at Earth and Exploring the Planets. Before the museum opened, I’d perform a walk-through of the exhibit galleries to make sure they were clean, cases undamaged, and that my displays were working properly.

After I became a powerchair user, I started referring to my walk-throughs as ‘roll-throughs’. I also liked to tell people that I was off to ‘stretch my wheels’. I’d usually get a chuckle in response. What can I say? I like making people laugh.

I controlled all of the displays from my office computer. Unfortunately, if there was a problem with any of the displays, I would have to go all the way up to my office on the third floor to fix it and then come back down to the gallery to see if the fix was successful. This was a significant pain in the ass. However, when my computer was upgraded to a Microsoft Surface, I saw an opportunity.

With parts from Ram Mount, I managed to cobble together a mount that allowed me to carry the tablet-sized computer on my power chair. I even got myself a kneeboard (the type pilots use) and strapped it to my right thigh. I used the kneeboard as a mouse pad and got myself a corded mouse, that could be easily retrieved if dropped. I am particularly proud at how I mcguyvered this setup.

Being able to carry and use my computer while sitting in my power chair was a game changer. I could finally fix issues with the displays while actually being in the galleries. When my department’s researchers wanted to use the displays for live PowerPoint presentations, I was able to troubleshoot any spontaneous hiccups with the presentations while present. I was very pleased with how this worked out.

COMMUTE

For over seven years, I commuted to and from work as a powerchair user. And it was as stressful as you can imagine. Thankfully, my experiences commuting helped me figured out how to effectively handle public transportation as a power chair user.

ACCESSIBILITY

And though the museum was mostly ADA-compliant, there were a few workplace accessibility issues that needed addressing. So, I pushed for them to be fixed, much to the annoyance of the museum’s administration. In the end, the changes they made helped me as well as others. I regret nothing and would do it again.

ABELISM

Abelism was another thing I unfortunately had to deal with. I still remember the people, both visitors and co-workers, who were in utter disbelief that I would, let alone could, continue working when I became a powerchair user. I was more than happy to destroy their misconceptions.

I successfully worked on wheels for over 8 years. And I was proud to do it. Being a power chair user didn’t stop me from performing my duties. And I would have easily continued performing those duties if my position hadn’t been defunded.

I hope the information I’ve shared here is helpful.

-Jen, aka. “Power Chair Dorothy”

Not in Kansas Anymore (www.notinksanymore.com) is a site/blog authored and managed by Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy (pwrchr-dorothy). This site/blog is intended to provide educational and research information, and to share the author’s experiences.

The author of this site/blog is not a medical physician and this site/blog does not provide medical advice. This site/blog contains information that should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. If you choose to apply or implement any information posted at this site/blog, you do so at your own risk.

**Photograph** of a DC Metro Platform from **Pixabay**

During my last seven years working in DC, I commuted to and from work as a power chair user. I rode commuter and local buses, the DC Metro, and the VRE (Virginia Railway Express).

Over time, I experienced every problem imaginable from lift failures on buses that left me suspended in the air for half an hour to getting my chair stuck in Metro car doors. I also had a number of unfortunate experiences with bus drivers pretending not to see me at my bus stop so they could avoid picking me up. I even had a bus driver apologize to everyone on the bus, telling them they were going to be late for work because of the time it took for him to load me onto the bus. Nice, huh?

Now living in Florida, I am experiencing problems yet again as I ride the local buses. These problems have prompted me to write this post, in order to share how I effectively handle public transportation as a power chair user.

Any time I take public transportation, I triple-check the schedules and timetables. I’ve found the Google Maps app on my smartphone to be very helpful for mapping out bus rides. I make sure my fare cards and bus passes are ready and that my smartphone and power chair are fully charged and functional. And I always get to my stop early, even though buses are notoriously late.

No matter what form of public transportation I am taking, I am always at the front of the line. I’m there so the bus drivers and train conductors see me. They usually have to move aside or fold up seats to accommodate my power chair and either get a lift out or extend a ramp for me. Being at the front of the line and clearly visible, helps give them a heads up when they arrive.

Besides helping me map out my bus rides, the Google Maps app on my smartphone also shows me in real-time where exactly I am on the map during the ride. I no longer worry about missing my destination during any first time trips.

I was once trapped on a bus for over an hour because the bus’ battery died. Without power, the lift wouldn’t work. So, while everyone else was able to walk off the bus and get rides home, I was stuck there. Ever since then, I make sure to carry water and a snack with me, just in case I get stuck somewhere again.

Now, if there is an incident with a bus driver, whether it’s failing to safely tie down my power chair or not stopping to pick me up, I will make a formal complaint. At the time of said incident, I try to document it the best I can. I record the time and date when the incident happened and the driver’s name. If I can’t get the driver’s name, then I’ll jot down a physical description of the driver and the bus number. When I make a formal complaint, I need those details.

I hate conflict, but when there is a serious problem, I have to make a formal complaint. It’s the only way to make change happen. I do this for myself and others with disabilities.

DOES MAKING A COMPLAINT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Yes. I’ve made complaints that have made a difference. Sometimes I’ve been able to fix a problem with a single complaint. Other times, I’ve had to make multiple complaints to get things fixed. I’ve also found that complaints made in person go a lot farther than complaints made over the phone.

Once, a bus driver directed a violent outburst at me because he was having problems loading me onto the commuter bus. I was heading home from work, but because of his outburst I chose to skip getting off at my usual stop and got off at the bus company’s transit center instead. The driver figured out I was going to report him and tried to talk me out of getting off the bus. Unfazed, I stared him down and ordered him to let me off. I then went into the transit center and reported him. Afterward, I waited at the transit center for a local bus that could take me home. Reporting the driver tacked on an extra hour to my trip home, but it was worth it. I never saw that driver again. He could have been fired or moved to another bus line. I don’t know.

So, yes, making a complaint can make a difference. And if stuff keeps happening to me, I’ll keep making complaints.

I hope the information I’ve shared here is helpful.

-Jen, aka. “Power Chair Dorothy”

“Not in Kansas Anymore” (www.notinksanymore.com) is a site/blog authored and managed by Jen, aka. “Power Chair Dorothy” (pwrchrdorothy). This site/blog is intended to provide educational and research information, and to share the author’s journey.