Incident that took place at Midway Airport in the TSA area to terminal A-B-C

On December 24, 2016, Tom Benziger (Deaf) took his friend, Art Roehrig (DeafBlind) to Midway airport for his flight to Columbus Ohio on Southwest airlines. He was offered a wheel chair assistance from the ticket agent and he denied and prefers to walk to the gate. I received a non-travel escort pass so that I could walk with Art all the way to his gate and to assure that he is boarded to the right flight for Columbus Ohio.
After we showed our ID, boarding pass, and non-travel escort pass at the TSA area, we had to wait for a very long line, and I was looking for TSA officer who may assist us with the rules such as taking out shoes off etc., since both of us are over 70 years old. This guy was so friendly to all the passengers and to children, I waved at him and he came up to us, introduce himself, John.

I explained that I am deaf and I am with Art who is DeafBlind, asking him what Art needs to know, no shoes removal, just jacket, computer and any medal should be on the tray.

I explained to Art in hand tactile as a vehicle way to communicate. John explained what we need to do and the two of us had to walk through the security alarm system and told us not to touch the walls as we walk through, once

I am out of the walk through was confronted by a different TSA telling me not to touch anything and need to hand swipe me at the same time I tried to explain that Art is deafblind and needs me to communicate,
this different officer who takes care of swipe hands was giving me hard time and he pretended that he going to get his supervisor and I said fine go ahead and get your supervisor. He used his hands as if he was sweeping the floor in his body language and at the same time moving his lips saying “asshole” to me,

I asked for supervisor and then I decided to call for John, and I was shouting for “John” just to get his attention and good enough more TSA officers came including supervisor and a gentleman in his everyday clothes (not in uniform but has tag hanging around his neck. Everyone was telling me to calm down but really I was more concerned about Art having access to what was happening, he was at that time isolated with no outside contacts finally Art started to scream as a sign of where I am and where are his belongings etc.

I had to grab Art’s hands to communicate with him regardless of no touch. I at that time explained to Art was happening and that I am not supposed to touch anything until it was cleared. Art now understand but after 10 min. Art screamed “Stupid Stupid where is my computer?” I told John to get his personal computer now. John put it on his lap. Art was calm with his laptop.
After the whole thing quite down, I honestly think that TSA people should have DeafBlind sensitive training and understand that they do have special equipment that should be handle carefully.

Communicate with blind person is not that difficult because they could HEAR but Art is blind and CAN NOT HEAR and needs to have someone who can communicate in tactile.

Because of this incident, I decided to register a formal complaint against TSA for their ignorant part and insensitivity to DeafBlind.

As I was typing I just realized that I should not have to go through the security walls due to the fact that I have 8 stents in my heart and I never acknowledge this to John. I guessing because I did not pass the security walls twice which resulted asking for my hands to be swiped and actually my function role is to be “eyes and communicate” for my colleague who is deafblind, I completely forgot my personal needs.
Tom contacted Rayn Odland, Helen Keller National Center, Regional 8 about this. He encouraged Tom to register a formal complain with TSA. He did.
And, Dawn Watts, DeafBlind Advocacy will explain more details how to do online “to file complaint”.