Transportation services have a long way to go to be more accessible for the disabled. Here's how I navigate traveling as a deaf person.

When I go through the security screening area, I watch the security officers' faces to speech-read their instructions. And, when I'm sitting at the gate, waiting for my flight, I peer over at the next person's ticket for their zone number, following them into the line when they get up. Once on the plane, I review the booklet illustrating the safety procedures for relevant information, or, if I'm with my husband, who is hearing, I ask him to transliterate using Cued Speech, a visual communication mode.

If the pilot makes mid-flight announcements, I ask my husband or strangers to let me know what's said. But, while it's great to be able to rely on the kindness of others, I deserve a more independent, integrated experience.

In recent years, some transportation companies have begun making their services more accessible to deaf and disabled travelers. For example, some airlines show what zone is boarding electronically. During flights, airlines sometimes share captioned videos of safety procedures. And some airlines who offer in-flight entertainment show some movies — although it should be all — with closed captions and subtitles. Newer trains also show a visual of the metro stop's name inside of the car, instead of just outside near the platforms. Some buses, too, have begun showing the names of stops electronically inside the vehicle.

Disabled people deserve equal access to the same transportation services others enjoy. After all, we pay the same amount as hearing travelers despite having less money due to disability discrimination. According to a new report released Wednesday by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 19.3% of people with disabilities are employed. In contrast, 66.3% of people without disabilities are employed.

Worse, federal law enables some employers to pay disabled people less than a $1 an hour. If nothing else, we're an untapped market — the travel industry can, too, benefit from more inclusively designed experience. In the meantime, we're doing our best with the resources we're given, which shouldn't be taken for granted.