quadriplegia and professional employment

I just sent this letter to one of the organizers of a conference that I will attend next month. I believe that people planning conferences simply don't think about accessibility or don't understand what it involves. They deserve to be chastised, perhaps, but I prefer to enlighten.

I am well aware that the hotel connected to the conference center would be the most convenient for access to the meeting. I would stay there if I could. Unfortunately, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires accessible rooms without defining them very carefully. Most hotels that have accessible rooms have rooms that are accessible to paraplegics, people who can get in and out of their wheelchairs without assistance. Only some hotels (the Microtel chain is one good example; most of their motels qualify) have rooms that are accessible to a quadriplegic. I basically need two features, in addition to a sufficient amount of space. I need a shower with no lip, so that a wheelchair can roll into it, and a bed that is up on legs instead of a pedestal (box). This allows my portable lift to roll right up to the bed where I can be swung into or out of bed safely. This may be a lot more information than you wanted. However, if you are ever involved in the decision about a conference hotel, this should be a consideration. Improved emergency room and rehab technology over the past couple of decades means that more and more people are surviving with severe injuries. Many of these people are still able to function in the workplace and therefore attend conferences.