A Blind Man Called Out A Hotel For Not Being ADA-Compliant & He Was Stuck On An Elevator
"When things are inaccessible, I'm forced to live in my disability."
A blind man in an elevator. Right: A key pad on the elevator.
A blind man is calling out The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Midtown Atlanta for not having ADA-compliant technology, and he was stuck on their elevator without being able to use it.
His name is Mario Bonds and you might recognize him from the Glee spinoff show, The Glee Project. Bonds, a multi-faceted content creator who's been blind since childhood, took to TikTok to share a disappointing recent experience.
In the TikTok video, Bonds says he doesn't feel disabled unless things are inaccessible and in this elevator, there was no braille on the keypads and the main screen was a touch screen.
"The first thing you do as a blind person with no braille instructions, etc., is you have to figure out, is this keypad a phone keypad or is it a calculator keypad? And, if so, how do I press enter to invoke or activate the floor I'd like to go to," he said.
He goes on to say the lobby is on the 20th floor not the first, so even reaching the front desk posed a challenge.
@jenleeion IMAGINE BEING @mario_bonds BLIND & TRAPPED IN AN ELEVATOR! @hilton AT 1231 W PEACH STREET NE ATLANTA GEORGIA. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! MARIO BONDS #hilton #hiltonhotel #mariobonds #americandisabilityact #blindness #blind #blindpeopleusebraille #braille #visualimpairment #accessibility #sightloss #whitecane #disabilityawareness #visualimpaired #abandoned #blindartistsww #visuallyimpaired #abandonedplaces #lovinmanchester #vistitmanchester #k #disability #lowvision #atlanta
Bonds said one night his key didn't work, and, for someone who isn't blind, it could be as simple as a quick trip to the lobby. Though, for him, he was hesitant about what to do because he couldn't access the elevator the way those without a disability can.
"The Hilton staff here were extremely insensitive. We were told by the front desk, 'we didn't build the hotel, and we feel attacked.'" According to Bonds, the staff proceeded to tell him that the elevator has a button for disabilities with a wheelchair icon on it.
However, he's blind and all the button does is play a recording that says to enter his floor number on a keypad, putting him right back where he started.
He made a duet with the original clip and added his own separate message stating he never had anxiety about being stuck in an elevator until this situation occurred.
@mario_bonds #duet with @jenleeion #hilton Before this situation, I did not have anxiety around being stuck alone in an elevator that I can't operate because it was not ADA compliant. Also, to be treated what disregard by the hotel staff was absolutely humiliating. I believe in teachable moments and I hope this is one for Hilton. #hilton #hiltonhotel #americandisabilityact #blindness #blind #blindpeopleusebraille #braille #visualimpairment #accessibility #sightloss #whitecane #disabilityawareness #visualimpaired #abandoned #blindartistsww #visuallyimpaired #abandonedplaces #k #disability #lowvision #atlanta #thenieghborhoodtalk #theshaderoom #itsonsite #IAmHumanToo #mariobonds #beyonce #fyp #blacktiktok
Both TikTok posts were uploaded on March 24, but people are still presently commenting hoping for an update and telling him he should sue.
Someone asked: "How did construction pass without meeting ADA code requirements?"
One user, who claims to be a General Manager for another Hilton property, apologized on their behalf.
Another commentator wrote that they've stayed at that hotel and "can confirm the elevator and staff are terrible. I can't imagine navigating that without vision."
A Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Midtown spokesperson told Narcity that "[t]he hotel is aware of these reported concerns."
"Providing a hospitable, welcoming environment is the essence of our business, and it is our policy to comply with all ADA regulations. We immediately took the necessary steps to investigate further, including a consultation with our elevator company regarding potential updates to our equipment. We are also conducting additional training to provide a more seamless guest experience for individuals in need of accessibility accommodations."