Traveling can be a stressful experience for anyone, but for those with disabilities, it can be even more challenging. For Latavia Sturdivant, a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with Cerebral Palsy, her custom-made wheelchair is not just a mode of transportation, it’s a necessity. Unfortunately, she has faced multiple incidents where her wheelchair was damaged by Delta Airlines on return flights to LaGuardia Airport.

Sturdivant’s first experience with damaged equipment was on January 30, 2026, after attending an adaptive skiing event in South Dakota. Upon landing at LaGuardia Airport, she discovered that her right lateral support was bent and the back of her chair was damaged. She filed a claim and Delta agreed to cover the repair costs. However, a similar incident occurred on April 11, 2026, after attending a Neurotrauma Symposium in Mississippi. This time, her wheelchair’s back was unable to recline and the lateral supports were bent. Sturdivant again filed a claim with Delta and they have reached out to her custom wheelchair company for repairs.

Unfortunately, the process for getting a new wheelchair can be lengthy and complex. According to disability advocate Emily Ladau, it can take weeks or even months to get a new wheelchair through insurance. This is due to a “durable medical equipment crisis” in the country, where providers are being reimbursed at a much lower rate than in 1987. As a result, there are now only two national wheelchair vendors, causing longer wait times for equipment and repairs.

Sturdivant and Ladau have both expressed the need for airlines to have standardized training for staff on handling durable medical equipment. They also believe that there should be clear accountability and consequences when damage occurs, along with empathy from airport personnel. Ladau suggests that airlines should also consult with the disability community and put stronger protections in place to prevent damage to mobility devices.

Sturdivant has written a book, “The Illusion of Inclusion,” which challenges individuals and organizations to examine if true inclusion is being practiced. She hopes that by sharing her experiences, airlines will understand the importance of recognizing wheelchairs as essential mobility equipment, not just another piece of luggage. Ladau also stresses the need for the airline industry to communicate and consult with the disability community and improve procedures for handling mobility equipment.

In the end, every wheelchair-using passenger’s experience is different, and it is important for airlines to understand the unique needs and challenges they face. By listening to the disability community and implementing necessary changes, airlines can ensure a more inclusive and safe travel experience for all passengers.