Controversial plus-size travel influencer Jae’lynn Chaney has gone viral once again, this time after “demanding accessibility for all.” The 27-year-old recently posted a video arguing that public swimming pools lacking handrails are “not inclusive.” The video, which has amassed over 48,200 views, has sparked significant discussion.
On July 3, Jae’lynn took to her TikTok page to share clips of herself getting into and out of swimming pools, demonstrating how she relies on handrails. “Accessibility isn’t optional,” she stated. “Make handrails mandatory at all pools for swimmers of every size and ability.”
She continued: “Without handrails, we’re excluding so many from enjoying pools safely. It’s time to ensure everyone can swim with confidence. Demand mandatory handrails now!”
This is not the first time Jae’lynn has made headlines. In May, she criticized Seattle–Tacoma International Airport for what she described as discrimination after an employee allegedly forced her out of her wheelchair and made her walk down the airplane’s aisle to her seat, Bored Panda detailed.
She recounted: “I was forced to walk up one of the longest jet bridges [I’ve] encountered, and by the time I reached my wheelchair, my lips had turned white as my oxygen levels had dropped.” She described the incident as discriminatory, adding: “This is discrimination, nobody should be treated this way.”
Jae’lynn pointed out that such incidents underscore the need for “employee sensitivity training,” a demand she had outlined in a plus-size Change.org travel petition she started last year. As of July 11, the petition has gathered more than 39,000 signatures towards its 50,000 target.
In the petition, Jae’lynn shared her experiences traveling with her fiancé, Ard, who is also plus-sized. They both faced discrimination, including hateful comments and refusals to sit next to Ard during a flight from Pasco, Washington, to Denver, Colorado. She also recounted: “Similarly, on another flight, I was forced to occupy only one seat with immovable armrests that caused me pain and bruises.”
The petition demands that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) require all airlines to develop comprehensive policies for accommodating customers of size. These demands include providing additional seats, offering refunds for extra seats purchased, clear communication of policies, airport assistance, priority boarding, larger lavatories, seat belt extenders, and specific sections for larger seats on new aircraft. It also calls for mandatory employee training on respectful treatment and the inclusion of wheelchair-accessible lavatories on new planes.
Moreover, the petition urges the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to implement guidelines and training for respectful screenings of customers of size. Jae’lynn’s advocacy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by plus-sized individuals in various public spaces, from swimming pools to airports.
Jae’lynn’s call for mandatory handrails in pools is part of her broader effort to make public spaces more inclusive. “Without handrails, we’re excluding so many from enjoying pools safely,” she insisted in her video.