This business of being strapped in a wheelchair being "degrading" sounds a bit off too. (Apologies to scr1). If you are in a wheelchair that is being driven by another, you have no control over how that journey will pan out. Maybe the airport should offer an indemnity form for the user to sign, disclaiming all potential claims against the airport in the event of careless wheelchair handling, resulting in the user being thrown out and possibly injured.
And how is this idea of "degrading" any different to dragging yourself across the airport on your arse? I wonder if the claimant is going to include claims that this activity was degrading as a part of his law suit?