10/20/2026
Itzhak Perlman, a world-renowned violinist, shared this story on his page, and we felt it was worth sharing too. Stories like this help shed light on the barriers that still exist and why accessibility matters 👇
I recently played a concert in North Bethesda. When I arrived to check in at my hotel, a prominent one, I presented my ID and credit card and received my room keys. Then I asked a simple question: "Is this room ADA accessible?"
About 10 minutes later, still standing at the counter, I learned that the accessible room I had confirmed six months earlier had been given away. When I asked what happened, the answer was, "We don't know."
With no help offered from the hotel staff, I had to find another hotel several miles from the venue. Thankfully, the concert promoter who was with me, stepped in and helped me find an accessible room.
Unfortunately, this was not the first time this has happened to me, and I know I am not the only one.
A confirmed accessible room is a commitment, and hotels must treat it as one. For people with disabilities, accessibility is not a luxury or a preference. It is a necessity.