The Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has introduced special services for persons with reduced mobility (PRM) and those with hidden disabilities aimed at creating a more stress-free and inclusive travel experience for passengers / flyers with disabilities.
These initiatives are particularly for persons in wheelchairs or reduced mobility and visually impaired individuals. Entry Gate 5 at Departures will be open for wheelchair users and persons with reduced mobility (PRM). Such passengers can now utilise designated drop-off space at Lane 1 at Departures, and they could also request priority check-in and a spot in the designated security check lane. For the ease of visually impaired travellers, BLR Airport has also introduced Braille menus at all food establishments.
Bangaluru Airport is now a Sunflower Airport.
Navigating unfamiliar places and procedures while catching a flight can be stressful, especially for passengers with disabilities. While not all disabilities are visible some disabilities are invisible to an onlooker, such as low vision, autism, dementia, or hearing loss.
Airport is now a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Global Network, an awareness initiative that discretely communicates to airport staff that passengers with an invisible disability may need additional support.
The programme is designed to discreetly help passengers with hidden disabilities to navigate public places. Hidden disabilities do not have physical signs and may not be obvious. For example, a person with anxiety, diabetes or other such conditions is considered a person with a hidden disability.
Under this Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme, the Airport has introduced the Sunflower Lanyard. This merchandise is available at the customer service kiosks"Care by BLR" in the terminal building just prior to entering security. They are free of charge and are for travellers only. While they do provide a discreet signal to airport staff, wearing this merchandise does not guarantee fast tracking through security or any preferential expedited service.
Any individual who may need additional support from the airport staff may opt to pick up the lanyard. The Sunflower provides an extra layer of assistance for those coping with these issues and helps in making their airport experience more comfortable and anxiety-free. Under this program the Airport staff have been trained to identify those wearing Sunflower merchandise (lanyards) and to offer additional support, such as allowing more time for these passengers to complete a particular procedure or guiding them through airport processes.
Sign Language Aid
In addition to above, select customer service staff at the Airport are trained to communicate using sign language and are equipped with the skillsets to assist passengers with hearing and speaking disabilities. The staff will also offer additional support, such as extending their time and assisting in guiding them through airport procedures. With this introduction, the team at the airport is hoping to help passengers with hearing and speaking limitations, to make their journey easy and pleasant.
Braille Menus at Restaurants
For the visually impaired, ordering food at a restaurant can be a difficult undertaking. For the convenience of visually impaired passengers, all food outlets at Airport now have specially designed braille menus that will help in reducing their dependency on others.
Complimentary buggy service
Additionally, complimentary buggy services are available at the kerbside and at Arrivals Exit Gate A5 (next to the luggage reclaim area). Spacious pathways, wheelchair-accessible water fountains, wheelchair-friendly facilities, and hospitable lounging places are other additional features at the terminal.
This is a welcome initiative by the Bangaluru Airport and should be emulated by other airports in the country. We will wait for more user to expereince the change brought in the culture of handling passengers with disabilities and share it.
Visit the Bangaluru Airport Website for more details under the Special Needs Section. and PRM Section.
