Civil Aviation Ministry issued Draft guidelines to ensure ease during air travel for disabled people - Business Standard

The Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday issued draft guidelines for aviation sector stakeholders such as airlines and airports to ensure disabled people can travel at ease

NEW DELHI : The Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday issued draft guidelines for aviation sector stakeholders such as airlines and airports to ensure disabled people can travel at ease.

Actor and dancer Sudha Chandran had last week, in a video posted on social media, narrated her ordeal of how she was made to remove her prosthetic limb every time during a security check at any airport.

According to the draft guidelines, airport operators must make special arrangements to facilitate screening of persons with special needs so that the process is carried out efficiently "keeping the dignity and privacy of the passenger in mind".

During the screening of prosthetics, the airport security -- which is handled by the CISF at most of the airports -- might use X-ray, explosive trace detection devices or visual checks according to their requirement, it mentioned.

The passenger -- who has a prosthetic limb -- will first pass through the door frame metal detector and should then be taken to a private screening point and made to sit comfortably, it noted.

This passenger will then receive additional screening including a pat-down, the draft guidelines said.

"A prosthetic appliance which does not have any foam padding cover under which any weapon or explosive can be concealed and in which the steel rod of the appliance is clearly visible may be screened by visual inspection and ETD checks only, without removing it."

However, in rare cases, where there is sufficient justification including profiling of the passenger, X-ray screening may be resorted to, it stated, adding the justification for subjecting a prosthetic limb to X-ray screening shall be recorded by the screener in a register.

Prosthetic appliances that are covered in foam padding and in which the steel rod is not visible must undergo X-ray screening, it mentioned.

The draft guidelines also said that passengers who have external devices including insulin pumps, hearing aids, cochlear implants, spinal stimulators, bone growth stimulators and ostomies will not have to disconnect them for X-ray screening.

Under most circumstances, a passenger can conduct a self-pat-down of these devices followed by ETD screening of his or her hands, it added.

Disabled passengers should inform the airline about their complete requirement 48 hours before the scheduled departure so that the carrier can make necessary arrangements, it mentioned.

If a passenger wants to check-in their wheelchair at the airport, the airline must ensure that the wheelchair is duly taxed and sent to the baggage make-up area with a service partner to avoid any damage, it noted.

Passengers should check with the airline on the specific requirements of bringing service animals on flights. A low floor coach or a ramp should be used for comfortable boarding or debarring of wheelchair users, the draft guidelines mentioned.

"Airlines should ensure that a disability awareness training is conducted for new hires and ensure periodic refreshers are conducted for all staff to reiterate policies and standard operating procedures on customer assistance with different types of disabilities," it mentioned.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has given three weeks for people to send their comments and suggestions on the draft "Accessibility Standards and Guidelines for Civil Aviation", after which final guidelines will be issued.

Source: Business Standard 

CISF issues apology after Sudha Chandran shares airport ordeal due to her prosthetic limb

After actor and dancer Sudha Chandran shared her ordeal at the airport due to the ‘grilling’ that was conducted because of her prosthetic limb, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has issued an apology on social media. They have promised that they will look into the matter and will “examine why the lady personnel concerned requested Ms. Sudhaa Chandran to remove the prosthetics.”

Responding to Sudha’s complaint where she also tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CISF wrote, “We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused to Ms. Sudhaa Chandran. As per protocol, prosthetics are to be removed for security checks only under exceptional circumstances.”

They added, “We will examine why the lady personnel concerned requested Ms. Sudhaa Chandran to remove the prosthetics. We assure Ms. Sudhaa Chandran that all our personnel will be sensitised again on the protocols so that no inconvenience is caused to travelling passengers.”

In an Instagram video shared on Thursday, Sudha Chandran shared that every time she travels for her professional assignments, she is grilled by the security agencies. Despite her request to the airport authorities to conduct an ETD (Explosive Trace Detector) for her artificial limb, they ask her to remove it every time. Sudha Chandran lost her leg in an accident. But she returned to acting and dancing with a prosthetic limb.

The actor also urged PM Modi to issue a card to people with prosthetic limbs just like senior citizens who are issued a card. “Good evening, this is a very personal note that I want to tell to our dear Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, this is an appeal to the central government, I am Sudhaa Chandran, an actress and dancer by profession, who has danced with an artificial limb and created history and made my country very proud of me,” she said in her post.

“But every time that I go on my professional visits, each time, am stopped at the airport and when I request them at the security, to the CISF officers that please do an ETD (Explosive Trace Detector) for my artificial limb, they still want me to remove my artificial limb and show it to them. Is this humanly possible, Modi ji? Is this what our country is talking about? Is this the respect that a woman gives to another woman in our society?” she asked.

Sudha Chandran is a popular face on Indian television. She became a household name after playing the role of Ramola Sikand in Kaahin Kissii Roz. She has been a part of Ekta Kapoor’s hit TV show Naagin as well.

Source: Indian Express 

A woman Kolkata Professor and a wheelchair user raises a disability discrimination complaint against Air India

Dear colleagues, 

Ms. Priyanka De, an assistant professor who teaches philosophy at Presidency University and who also happens to be a wheelchair user due to cerebral palsy, has alleged harassment before and during travel on the national carrier 'Air India' recently. 

Air India, while regretting the inconvenience she had faced, refused to alter its position on the issues. Ms. De, flew from Kolkata to Delhi by Air India on February 17 and returned by the same airline on February 25. Prior to travel, she had a trying time availing of a concession that the airline offers to persons with locomotor disability. Discounts under various categories, including students and the ones in Armed services, can be availed while purchasing tickets online. But Ms. De, who is a wheelchair user and a person with benchmark disability was unable to avail of the discount online. It was only when she escalated the issue with the Prime Minister’s Office that the airline reached out to her and took the necessary documents over mail to approve the 50% discount on basic fare. 

The issue underlines the ordeal faced by passengers with disabilities when they are forced to personally visit the airlines office to book a concessional ticket while other categories of passengers to whom concessional tickets are allowed, can do so online. This is a systemic issue and even Indian Railways practiced this until the High Court of Delhi came out heavily on them to allow seamless system to avail online concessional ticket booking as available to other concessional categories. 

She narrated, “On my return, I wrote to the airline, asking it to ensure that others with similar disability get the discount while purchasing tickets online at a time when Covid is on the rise. But in its reply, the airline has expressed its inability to do so without physically verifying the extent of disability at the airline’s city or airport counter. Why can’t a passenger upload the disability certificate at the time of purchasing the ticket and show it at the time of travel.”

Airline has no reason to ask flyers with disabilities to  physically verify the extent of disability at their counter - in the city or at the airport. This is a salt on the wound and an outright discrimination on the grounds of disability as prohibited by section 3 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. There is no written word in the law or in DGCA CAR or any other advisory to support this discriminatory practice.

Ms. Priyanka De also faced another challenge during the return journey. She was not allowed to carry her fold-able wheelchair in the cabin, despite the airline website clearly stating that collapsible wheelchair and pair of crutches or braces for passenger use, if dependent on these, are allowed in the cabin.

“I have a narrow wheelchair that is collapsible to enable movement in flight and other confined spaces. It is helpful for use in the washroom. But on the afternoon of February 25, the flight crew refused to allow the wheelchair and wanted to stow it away in the belly cargo hold. When I pointed out that I could not use the washroom without it, the crew asked me to go to the toilet after the flight landed. It was inhuman,” she expressed in a Times of India article. 

The airline pointed out that the space constraint in the narrow body aircraft had prompted the crew to stow it in the cabin bulk head after taking permission from the flight commander. “Efforts were made to put the chair in the overhead cabin but since it could not fit there, it was shifted to the alternative storage space,” said an airline official.

It is pertinent to mention that the DGCA's Civil Aviation Requirement on Carriage by Air of Persons with Disabilities provides as below :-

"4.1.1    No airline shall refuse to carry persons with disability or reduced mobility and their assistive aids/devices, escorts and guide dogs including their presence in the cabin, provided such persons or their representatives, at the time of booking, inform the airline of their requirement(s). The airlines shall incorporate appropriate provisions on their website within three months from the date of issue of this CAR, so that while making bookings, passengers with disability have the option to select the required facilities, which he/she will require during the journey."

Limitations of the aircraft, if any should be informed to the passengers so that they can make an informed choice. The National carrier is expected to be a role model, however, it seems there is lack of awareness and sensitisation among the staff on the subject. The DGCA CAR also provides for training of the staff in section 4.3. Specific sections are as below: 

"4.3.3  The operators shall ensure that all its employees are imparted disability-related basic training and refresher training at appropriate interval. 

Note: Disability related training provides practical overview and is relevant in particular to those providing assistance to persons with disability or reduced mobility. It increases understanding of the whole range of impairments so that personnel are aware of how to interact with persons with disability or reduced mobility and to tackle negative perceptions and attitudes towards such passengers.

4.3.4   In addition to basic training, operators should provide specific training for personnel who may be required to provide direct assistance to persons with disability and/or persons with reduced mobility

4.3.5  Operators shall ensure that adequate training is provided to all its service providers, ground handling agencies and sub-contractors responsible for providing assistance services

4.3.6  It shall be the responsibility of airport operator to ensure that security staff positioned at airport undergoes disability-related training

4.3.7  Airlines shall ensure that cabin crew safety and emergency procedures training is combined with disability awareness training for assisting persons with disability or reduced mobility in the cabin environment."

Way forward

The airline needs to reinforce training and sensitisation of its officials on a regular basis in compliance of DGCA CAR referred above so that such issues do not crop up. Airline should also provide advance information to customers about the size and limitation of the aircraft especially in cases of narrow body aircraft being deployed on domestic sectors to allow the users to take an informed decision about their travel.  The airline should immediately stop the practice of insisting physical verification of disability for booking concessional tickets. Persons with disabilities are to be provided same online facility of booking of tickets as available to other categories of travelers. For this purpose, airline could insist on adding the reference number of the identification document. In this era of technological advancement, it is easier to cross link identity documents so that the users are not harassed or discriminated on the basis of disability. Govt. of India has undertaken numerous efforts to ease the life of persons with disabilities and promote their inclusion in all walks of lives, let these incidents not mar the spirit of sabka saath, sabka vikas and sabka vishwas!

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Air India's subsidiary Alliance Air plane denies a person with disabilities boarding with motorized wheelchair

Name of Discriminating Airlines:  Alliance Air plane (Air India)
Flight No. : Air India (AI 9623). Flight time: 03.35 PM (Mumbai to Diu)

Date of Incident: 15 Feb 2021,
Airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, India
Persons Travelling: Siddharth Mhatre (with wheelchair) and Kevin Karani

Brief: A passenger travelling with motorized wheelchair, despite booking his seat a month in advance and having provided all the information related to travel and disability, was denied boarding him with his battery wheelchair saying it was more than the prescribed 15 kg check in baggage limit by 45 kg. The argument of the airline that the ATR aircraft is small in size unlike the bigger jets with a capacity of only 70 seats thereby limiting their weight carrying capacity doesn't hold any water, especially when they were ready to accept the same wheelchair at a huge cost @INR 630 per kg. 

The case highlights following concerns:

a) Non-implementation of DGCA's CAR on Carriage by Air of Persons with Disabilities.

b) Inadequate information provided by the airline about the aircraft and its size of cargo hold and maximum sizes that it can take so that the passenger could take an informed decision.

c) Complete non-cooperation from the airlines and creating uncertainties in the air travel schedule of the passenger with disabilities.

d) Complete lack of timely grievance redressal mechanism and compensation policy.

e) The airline's argument that motorized equipment such as Ambulift cannot be used because of safety limitations on ATR aircraft, is against the stated policy of DGCA on accessible boarding in the aircrafts, whether through the boarding gates, on the tarmac through ambulift or towable ramps. 

Series of events on 15 Feb 21, as shared by the passenger:

• 01.40 PM: Passengers reached Terminal-2 of CSI Airport, Mumbai.

• Siddharth was travelling on his own motorised wheelchair and upon reaching the airport, decided to obtain Airport’s wheelchair and let the motorised wheelchair get pass through the security scanner first.

• Airport’s wheelchair was not available at Airport Gate so they searched for Air India’s “Help Desk” to obtain Airport’s wheelchair. Unable to find any “Help Desk” they go to Air India’s ticketing counter to get help. AI’s ticketing staff somehow managed to connect with AI’s ground staff inside the airport and got Airport’s wheelchair to escort Siddharth Mhatre.

• 02.00 PM:  Both passengers reach check-in counter to get the Boarding Pass and check-in their luggage and wait in the queue for their turn.

• 02.10 PM: After observing Siddharth Mhatre’s condition AI’s staff at check-in counter denies to issue him boarding pass. One of the AI’s staff even asks Siddharth to show them if he can stand-up on his crutches and walk.

• 02.15 PM: Unable to stand-up immediately, AI’s ground staff takes a negative stance and completely deny to get Siddharth on board.

• We immediately question why Siddharth can’t be boarded. Our travel agent had specifically mentioned at the time of booking the ticket about Siddharth’s disability, his wheelchair requirement and assistance of AI’s staff to get him on board. 

• The ticket was booked well in advance (1 month prior on 07-Jan-2021). The Travel agent had also confirmed with AI’s customer care about Siddharth’s disability and requirement for co-operation and assistance for flight boarding.

• Siddharth had even sent an email on 11-Feb-2021 to AI’s customer care (contactus@airindia.in) seeking co-operation for boarding the flight and permit him to carry his Motorized wheelchair. It was acknowledged by Air India’s customer care team on the same day.

• So we get on call with Travel Agent who booked our ticket and ask him find a solution as AI’s ground staff was clearly denying to get Siddharth aboard. Co-passenger Mr. Kevin and the Travel agent speak with AI’s ground staff for solution.

• 02.25 PM: AI’s ground staff somehow agree to get Siddharth on-board but seek a “Declaration Letter” from Siddharth that if anything happens to him while boarding the flight, Air India is not responsible for the same and they shall also immediately off-load him from the Airplane. We submit the “Declaration Letter” with Siddharth’s signature on it.

• 02.30 PM: We again proceed for check-in and boarding pass issuance. AI’s ground staff now comes up with new problem and denies Siddharth to travel on his Motorized wheelchair (which was clearly mentioned from start, even in the email sent to AI’s customer care). We were asked to put his motorized wheelchair in check-in luggage. The weight of Siddhartha’s motorized wheelchair exceeded the weight limit given to each passenger for their luggage. It exceeded the limit by 45kgs.

• AI’s ground staff demanded Rs.630 per kg extra to get his motorized wheelchair on board. The calculation came to Rs.630 x 45kgs =  Rs.28,350/-. This was too much amount demanded.

• Siddharth’s  motorized wheelchair was his extension to have mobility and not his separate luggage, we denied to pay the amount and asked for solution. AI denied to take any responsibility.

• 02.50 PM: It was already too late because of all the non-cooperation from AI’s ground staff. They wasted a lot of time, first they completely denied to on-board Siddharth and then they denied to on-board his wheelchair. The gates to board the flight were about to close. They also gave Kevin Karani warning to run and reach the boarding gate or else he’ll be also be off-loaded from flight.

• 03.00 PM: It was all panic situation created by AI’s staff for Siddharth and Kevin. Kevin had to literally run to the boarding gate to get into the flight and unfortunately Siddharth had to miss his flight.

• Siddharth had to then travel by road for non-stop 15 hours to reach the destination as it was an important event which he was not supposed to miss.

Despite a confirmed ticket, having shared the accommodation requirements one month in advance and constantly being in touch with the Air India and having shared the details of the wheelchair etc. no one from the Air India bothered to inform the passenger about the size limitations of the aircraft. It was a violation of the commitment that the airlines made to the customer. There was complete lack of  co-operation from Air India at the time of boarding the flight. The passenger was left stranded at the Mumbai CSI Airport as his accompanying friend was taken in the flight. The passenger had to suffer all the inconvenience and difficulties to reach his destination. The physical strain and mental trauma that the passenger was subjected to due to the uncertainties created by the airlines service can't be explained.

After all the hullabaloo in the media, the airline did refund  his ticket fare, but has not either accepted its fault nor seem to have rectified the system to inform and passengers about the size of the aircraft, size of the cargo hold, weight and size of the electric wheelchairs that it can accommodate, reasonable accommodation provided to the passengers with disabilities, grievance mechanisms procedure etc. The  uncertainties of being able to travel put the passengers with disabilities at a psychological disadvantage, remain in fear, accept what is offered to them and make compromises - even sign all kinds of indemnity  forms etc that are forced on them against the norms, DGCA's CAR etc. Asok Kumar Committee addressed these issues in its detailed consensus report that still remains to be implemented in true letter and spirit by the stakeholders such as airlines, aerodrome operators and the Civil Aviation Security systems.

Below is the report published by media 5 days after the incident.   

Differently-abled allegedly denied boarding with motorised wheelchair in Air India's subsidiary Alliance Air plane  (News source: Mumbai Mirror )

Feb 21, 2021

Due to eleventh hour fiasco, Siddharth Mhatre was forced to travel by road for 18 hours

In an alleged incident of discrimination, a 32-year-old differently-abled person was denied boarding the national career Air India's subsidiary Alliance Air, along with his motorized wheelchair at the last moment.

The incident took place on February 15, 2021 when he arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to travel to Diu to attend a wedding ceremony of his close friend scheduled for the next day.

Siddharth Mhatre, who works in facility management and is a resident of Dadar, says that the incident not only caused him mental and physical trauma but forced him to make an overnight journey by road.

"The negligence on part of the airlines took place even when tickets were booked a month ago and the travel agent had informed them about his physical condition, wheelchair requirement, and assistance for flight boarding in advance not once, but multiple times," alleges Mhatre.

Upon reaching the airport along with  is friend with whom he was travelling, Mhatre had let his motorised wheelchair get past the security scanner first, but little did he know what would follow soon after.

"I approached the ticketing counter to get airport’s wheelchair after we failed to find Air India's 'Help Desk'. The ticketing staff managed to connect him with the airline's ground staff inside the airport and got the airport’s wheelchair. However, when we reached the check-in counter to get the boarding pass and check-in our luggage, the airline staff at the check-in counter denied him a boarding pass," says Mhatre.

The passenger also alleged that one of the staff members even asked him to show them if he could 'stand-up' on his crutches and walk.

Mhatre's friend Kevin Karani, who was traveling with him also questioned the staff as to why Mhatre couldn't board the flight when the travel agent had specifically mentioned at the time of booking the ticket about his disability and requirement. He also made the travel agent speak with the airlines' ground staff to find a solution.

Later, the ground staff somehow agreed to get Mhatre on-board but not before seeking a 'declaration letter' which they got him to sign.

Mhatre says that the declaration letter stated that if anything were to happen to him while boarding the flight, the airline would not be held responsible for the same and they would also immediately off-load him.

However, the problem was far from over when they again proceeded for check-in and boarding pass issuance. The staff denied him permission to travel on his motorized wheelchair and asked to put it with his check-in luggage and demanded charges.

"The airline ground staff demanded Rs 630 per kg extra (Rs 28,350) to get his motorized wheelchair (45kg) on board. We decided we would not pay the amount and asked for a solution, however, the airline staff denied taking any responsibility."

In this process, Mhatre's friend who was accompanying him was asked to run and reach the boarding gate and was threatened to be off-loaded from the flight if he did not make it in time.

Speaking to Mirror Online, Mhatre's father Dr Sanjay demanded action against the discriminatory behavior due to which his son had to undergo severe mental trauma and added that his son is 80 per cent physically challenged and the motorized wheelchair was his extension to have mobility and not a separate piece of luggage.

Following the whole fiasco, Siddharth had to then travel by road for 18 hours to reach the destination to attend an important event which he did not want to miss.

In response to Mirror Online questions, the airline said that ATR aircraft boarding steps are part of the fuselage with a capacity of a single person boarding at a time. In this type of aircraft Motorized equipment such as Ambulift cannot be used because of safety limitations and only one person boards at a time in the aircraft as a safety limitation.

"On humanitarian grounds after requests from passenger and his aide we agreed to accept the passenger. The aide also offered to help the passenger to board the aircraft. As per policy, we do offer a free weight allowance of 15 kgs for a wheelchair which is over and above the free check-in & cabin baggage. However, since the overall weight of the baggage and wheelchair was beyond the free permitted allowance, hence excess baggage amount was requested from the passenger which he did not agree to pay."

The airline further added that the ATR aircraft is small in size unlike the bigger jets with a capacity of only 70 seats thereby limiting our weight carrying capacity.

"Declaration letter was taken in the best interest of the passenger and safety precautions. We believe that everyone deserves smooth, uncomplicated service and this sorry situation led to the passengers' alteration of travel plans. We convey our deepest regret for any inconvenience caused and our endeavor is always to work towards becoming the most needs-friendly airline as we have displayed in the past and will continue in the future."

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Passenger Complaints about disability discrimination during flying are on rise in USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Airline passengers with disabilities say flight staff need more training and the airplanes need better accommodations to meet their needs, according to testimony during a House subcommittee hearing Tuesday.

Their concerns were part of a discussion about passenger experiences with airlines.

Testimony was presented from a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office that said the number of passenger disability complaints reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation and to airlines directly has steadily increased since 2011.

Most were about staff being unable to properly assist the passengers, seating problems and issues with service animals.

Lee Page with Paralyzed Veterans of America testified about his experience.

"On my most recent flight, I had a problem with the aisle chair and the people who came to assist me,” Page said. "The personnel tried to lift me up over the fixed armrest and into my seat, but they were not strong enough and ended up dropping me on the armrest as I slid into my seat."

The number of overall passenger complaints to the DOT across all categories is also up about 10 percent from 2008 to 2017.

An aviation consultant for the nonprofit group Consumer Reports testified about the need for a passenger bill of rights.

"With guaranteed accommodations during flight delays and cancellations, transparencies of fares and fees and safe healthy aircraft seating,” William McGee said.

Testimony did point out that the overall quality of airline operational performance has improved over the last decade.

The report said the rate of denied boardings, mishandled baggage and flight delays have generally improved from 2008 to 2017.

Witnesses also pointed to new technology as reasons why the experience for passengers has improved.

“Enhanced service training for our crews and other guest-facing personnel as well as investments in technology like enhanced airport kiosks and our new self-bag drop machines that will help speed our guests through the check-in process,” Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Spirit Airlines Matt Klein said.

Source: Fox13Memphis dot com 

This Award-winning design by a student offers a new take on accessible aircraft cabins

Dear Colleagues,

This award-winning adaptable wheelchair design by an Irish designer Ms. Ciara Crawford offers a new take on accessible aircraft cabins, and aims to encourage airlines to make it easier for passengers with reduced mobility to fly with dignity and without the need to be manually lifted or transferred to the aircraft seat.

The so-called Row 1 airport wheelchair system would allow passengers to use the same electrified wheelchair to get from the airport check-in desk to the aircraft to their destination, eliminating the need for multiple seat transfers.

This innovative chair can be altered quickly on the aircraft by removing the larger wheels at the back. It is then fitted directly onto the passenger seat. Smaller cast wheels in the bottom frame allow the chair to be eased into position and used for mobility in-flight.

The design was Crawford’s final year project in college, and was inspired by both her work in the aviation sector and the experience of a family member.

“I was working as a concept developer for an aircraft parts manufacturer, and attended AIX [Aircraft Interiors Expo], and noticed the lack of focus on accessibility in the aircraft industry,” Crawford tells Runway Girl Network. “I have a cousin who is in a wheelchair and doesn’t travel for that reason, so I started looking into it. I knew I couldn’t change what was already there but needed to work with what is already on an aircraft – something that could be added to the aircraft very easily.”

Mindful of the practical requirements, and after reviewing a few models of existing aircraft seats, Crawford set about to design something that would fit onto the front row of most economy class cabins on long-haul aircraft. Crawford believes it would be managed like other aircraft, telling RGN: “It would be going to the airline [as their equipment] and it will be a service they would offer. It would have to be brought back by the airline. They would monitor how many they need and ensure that it’s going where it needs to go.”

To give limited mobility passengers greater control Crawford envisions the chair as being electrically powered, using batteries which are cleared for airline transport in the aircraft cabin. With this feature, limited-mobility passengers would be free to arrive to the gate unattended. A handheld control in one of the armrests would allow passengers to drive their chairs.

Once on board the aircraft, the passenger would need assistance with removing the back wheels. But the caster system on the back of the chair would make it easier for an assistant – either a travel companion or airline staff – to fit the wheelchair onto the seat.

The design earned Crawford recognition as the “2019 Emerging Product Designer of the Year” from the European Product Design Awards; it earned the 2019 Platinum Prize in Transportation, Aircraft/Aerospace.

Paul Priestman, co-founder of London design firm PriestmanGoode, which developed the Air Access integrated wheelchair aircraft seat concept for the 2012 Paralympic games and has been an active advocate for accessibility in air travel for years, tells RGN that he’s gratified to see more designers focus on solving the issues of accessibility.

“What I find encouraging is that a lot of people are coming to the same conclusion as us, that this is a possibility,” he says. While Priestman characterizes the delays in adopting workable solutions as frustrating, he feels generally optimistic. “Things are beginning to change because a lot of people are realizing that this is becoming a rights issue.”

As Priestman points out, other forms of mass transport have become accessible through regulation and airlines face the possibility that regulations will ultimately compel airlines to act. “It will only take one country,” he says, and others will join in drafting laws. “It’s only a matter of time.”

“I think one of the big issues is that the majority of people aren’t aware of the issues because people using the wheelchair are boarded before and deplane after,” he  says. “One of the ways of tackling this is to remind people that everyone at some point will need to have assistance.”

For Crawford, the recognition her design has received has opened up new opportunities to meet people in the airline industry who are equally committed to raising awareness and ensuring progress. “It has been massive,” she says. “I’ve heard from potential users, aircraft manufacturers…the interest has been great.”

Image Credits: To the Student Ms. Ciara Crawford who won the design competition.Article Source: Runwaygirlnetwork.com   Authored by: Marisa Garcia

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Ms. Ann Frye to chair new Independent Panel of Experts to Help London's Gatwick Airport strategise services for disabled flyers

Dear Colleagues,

Its heartening to see this development at the London's Gatwick Airport where our good friend and an international specialist in Transportation Needs for People with Disabilities and Older Adults, Ms. Ann Frye, will Chair an independent panel of experts.  This new independent panel – made up of experts in the travel needs of disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility – will help to shape Gatwick’s accessibility strategy and improve services for disabled passengers, as announced by the airport on 19th Sep 2019.

The Independent Gatwick Accessibility Panel (IGAP) will take a broad view of accessibility provision and services at the airport, including setting new service standards and reviewing the airport’s performance against them and will complement the work and ongoing achievements of Gatwick’s Accessibility Forum and Passenger Advisory PRM Group.

The panel is expected to have its first meeting on 19 December 2019 and will build upon the ongoing work and achievements of two existing groups; the Passenger Advisory PRM Group – which represents passengers – and the Accessibility Community Forum, which is where airport stakeholders meet with local charities and support groups.

Ann Frye – an international specialist in the transport needs of disabled and older people will chair the group.  Ann currently co-chairs the US Transportation Research Board sub-committee on International Activities in Accessible Transportation and Mobility.  She is also working with the United Nations and the International Transport Forum on the mobility implications of a global ageing population.

Other members of the panel have been primarily drawn from the disability community – including those with hidden disabilities – and have been selected based on their expertise and experience both in disability and air travel. The biographies of other panel members can be found on Gatwick’s website here.

The panel will then meet at least twice every year and the minutes from each meeting will be published on Gatwick’s website.  The panel will also be consulted on other relevant issues on an ad hoc basis.

Aviation Minister Paul Maynard said: “Transport is vital for connecting people with work, friends and family, and should enable those from every part of society to access and enjoy exploring the rest of the world.

“Gatwick’s continued work on accessibility is helping to open up new opportunities and experiences, ensuring the aviation network is truly open to all.”

Chris Woodroofe, Chief Operating Officer, Gatwick Airport, said: “This new independent panel of experts will help us set new standards and identify innovative opportunities where we can improve the service we offer to passengers with reduced mobility or other disabilities.

“The panel will also complement and build on the ongoing achievements of our Accessibility Forum and Passenger Advisory Groups.  By consulting and engaging with such a broad range of experts, we want to make sure our accessibility services are the best they can be.”

Ann Frye, Chair of the Independent Gatwick Accessibility Panel, said: “I am delighted to have been invited to chair the new Independent Gatwick Accessibility Panel. I have worked for many years to promote accessibility for disabled and older people in aviation and other forms of transport and I look forward to working with Gatwick and their key stakeholders in achieving their goal to be the UK’s most accessible airport.”

Gatwick was the first airport to introduce a hidden disability lanyard scheme – something that all UK airports have introduced since.  Gatwick was also the first UK airport to open a sensory room, invested £2 million in a new ‘premium-style’ lounge for passengers with reduced mobility and is expanding its existing range of Changing Places facilities, which include hoists and height-adjustable changing beds and sinks.

The airport also places a particular emphasis on training and all passenger-facing staff are taught to recognize a range of hidden disabilities. To ensure consistent standards across the airport, Gatwick also offers this training free to airlines, ground handlers and organisations.

For example, 2,200 staff have been trained to recognize and help people with dementia across 14 different businesses. Staff working for Gatwick’s special assistance provider – Wilson James – are also the only ones in the UK trained to NVQ Level 2 & 3.

About Gatwick Airport
Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport. It serves more than 230 destinations in 74 countries for 46 million passengers a year on short and long-haul point-to-point services. Gatwick is also a major economic driver and generates around 85,000 jobs nationally, with 24,000 of these located on the airport.

Since May 2019, a new long-term partnership was formed with VINCI Airports who purchased a 50.01% stake in the airport. This partnership sees Gatwick Airport integrate into the network of VINCI Airports, the leading private airport operator in the world, which manages the development and operation of 46 airports across the globe. Served by around 250 airlines, VINCI Airports’ network handled 240 million passengers in 2018 – including traffic at London Gatwick. VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and operates airports, leveraging its investment capability, international network and know-how to optimise performance of existing airport infrastructure, facility extensions and new-build construction projects.

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), which manages the remaining 49.99% interest in Gatwick, is an independent infrastructure investor that makes equity investments in high quality infrastructure assets in the energy, transport and water/waste sectors. GIP has US$56 billion of Assets under Management. Its 18 portfolio companies operate in over 50 countries with circa 54,000 employees and generate annual revenues of circa US$50 billion.

Source: Travel PR News.com