The recent cases where two flyers were asked to remove their prosthetic limbs
by security personnel in Mumbai have once again brought into focus the
need to treat disabled passengers with dignity at airports. A telephone
helpdesk which can receive requests for assistance from disabled
passengers and kiosks with sign-language interpreters feature among the
suggestions received by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
In a bid to make travelling a hassle-free and comfortable experience for disabled passengers, the DGCA had issued a draft seeking suggestions and feedback from organizations and individuals. Another key suggestion is inclusion of autism to the list of mental and physical impairment.
Activists have proposed that the term "incapacitated persons" be substituted with "persons with additional or specific support requirements". Training and sensitization of security personnel to the needs of disabled passengers is another demand. "The biggest part of responsibility for making travel smoother falls on the airport operator," . A telephonic helpdesk is essential to provide services to passengers with disability so that they can be guided and given access to special assistance," said Amba Salelkar from Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy, one of the organizations which drafted and sent the proposal.
It has also been suggested that airlines should be ready to take a disabled passenger on board any time. Currently, a person has to inform the airline at least 48 hours in advance. "What if it's a last-minute travel? The policy can be a deterrent in such cases," said an activist working with the disabled.
The proposal elaborates that the role of airports is bigger than that of airlines when it comes to making travel more comfortable and
Airports should have disabled-friendly infrastructure such as ambulifts and ramps.
Security screening has to be looked at separately, said Muralidharan, assistant convener, National Platform for the Rights of Disabled. "There should be full body scanners so that flyers do not have to remove their prosthetics. Also, there should be a separate enclosure where, if there is absolute need, the passenger can remove the prosthetic in privacy," Muralidharan said. Muralidharan, who also signed the proposal and will be part of a meeting called by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on security protocols for disabled passengers.
Source : TOI , 6th August 2013
In a bid to make travelling a hassle-free and comfortable experience for disabled passengers, the DGCA had issued a draft seeking suggestions and feedback from organizations and individuals. Another key suggestion is inclusion of autism to the list of mental and physical impairment.
Activists have proposed that the term "incapacitated persons" be substituted with "persons with additional or specific support requirements". Training and sensitization of security personnel to the needs of disabled passengers is another demand. "The biggest part of responsibility for making travel smoother falls on the airport operator," . A telephonic helpdesk is essential to provide services to passengers with disability so that they can be guided and given access to special assistance," said Amba Salelkar from Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy, one of the organizations which drafted and sent the proposal.
It has also been suggested that airlines should be ready to take a disabled passenger on board any time. Currently, a person has to inform the airline at least 48 hours in advance. "What if it's a last-minute travel? The policy can be a deterrent in such cases," said an activist working with the disabled.
The proposal elaborates that the role of airports is bigger than that of airlines when it comes to making travel more comfortable and
Airports should have disabled-friendly infrastructure such as ambulifts and ramps.
Security screening has to be looked at separately, said Muralidharan, assistant convener, National Platform for the Rights of Disabled. "There should be full body scanners so that flyers do not have to remove their prosthetics. Also, there should be a separate enclosure where, if there is absolute need, the passenger can remove the prosthetic in privacy," Muralidharan said. Muralidharan, who also signed the proposal and will be part of a meeting called by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on security protocols for disabled passengers.
Source : TOI , 6th August 2013
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