A frustrating night out for two friends is highlighting some of the challenges facing those with disabilities in the capital city.
Melanie Adams and her friend, who uses a power wheelchair, went out to supper on Wednesday.
The friend is from Grand Falls-Windsor and was staying at a local hotel. She used an accessible cab to get to the restaurant.
Later in the night, when trying to return to the hotel, they were told the van was off the road for the night. Adams says they tried calling other companies, none of which had an accessible van on the road.
Luckily her friend’s parents were staying in town as well and were at another restaurant, so her father came to get her. If they had been drinking and unable to drive, or were otherwise unreachable, Adams says her friend would have been stranded.
Adams notes her friend was “putting on a brave face,” but she could tell that she was upset; she says while she felt “utterly helpless” and frustrated, she can only imagine how her friend felt.
Adams is calling on cab companies to train more drivers to make the city more accessible.