EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A crash involving a man in a wheelchair on Saturday, April 8 left many people in the Borderland concerned.

The incident caused advocates from the El Paso Desert ADAPT to speak out.

El Paso Desert ADAPT is a disability rights group that advocates for people with disabilities and a fraction of the larger scale, ADAPT of Texas, according to the disability website.

‘The incident shows the disregard some people have for those who are disabled, especially when driving,” said Josue Rodriguez, a spokesperson of the ADAPT group.

Rodriguez, who is friends with the man who was hit, adds the situation is ‘frustrating’ due to the obstacles the disabled community faces already.

The victim’s wheelchair was also severely damaged after the incident.

Rodriguez explained that those who are not in need do not understand the cost for medical equipment and the process to get approved.

“Some people might say yeah you get help or assistance getting it but you don’t understand the time it takes to actually get approved to even get one it takes over a year just to be able to get approved yet alone to get the wheelchair itself,” said Rodriguez.

While Rodriguez and ADAPT see this accident as a setback for accessibility rights for people with disabilities, they are hoping that people will be more cautious when they get behind the wheel.

“People realizing or being aware of their surroundings and being aware that something so simple what they see as so simple as jumping a sidewalk or a curb cut could affect someone that’s actually using that for access and for safety.”

El Paso Police have not charged the driver who hit the victim.

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