TORONTO -- A Toronto man says he was denied access to a flight because his wheelchair was about 13 centimetres too tall for the plane's cargo area.

Tim Rose, 31, says he was told he wouldn't be able to fly on an Air Canada flight this September to Cleveland, where he'll be speaking about disability rights with a large corporation.

He says the airline suggested he travel with a smaller wheelchair, but he doesn't have one.

Rose says he felt dehumanized when a representative from the airline told him that his wheelchair was akin to oversized luggage.

In a video posted to Facebook, which now has more than 14,000 views, Rose says that there are no other carriers that offer direct flights between Toronto and Cleveland.

He says indirect flights are difficult because he also has a service dog, and transferring between planes takes extra time for him.

Rose says all he wants is the same access to services as people who don't need mobility devices.

He says he's not asking for special treatment -- just the same access that everybody else gets.

Rose says Air Canada hasn't contacted him directly to resolve the issue.

A representative from Air Canada didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.