Airlines urged to improve accessible travel options

Airports and air travel should be more accessible to people with disability and offer more assistance through inclusive procedures and better training of staff.

The Chair of the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) has personally written to Australia’s major airlines and airports, outlining the need to create an inclusive travel experience for people with disability.

The Hon Ronald Sackville AO KC, says people with disability are frequently discriminated against at airports, left with damaged mobility equipment, or they are even injured after being dropped during transfer. 

A decision to write to the airline and airport Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) was made following two workshops held by the DRC last November that featured over 60 participants sharing their experiences with air travel. 

They highlighted the challenges posed by inaccessible facilities and services, plus a lack of supportive airline procedures and staff training that can actually assist people with disability.

Mr Sackville says his letter does not contain official recommendations by the DRC, but it is rather a private plea to improve travel accessibility.

“The Royal Commission’s terms of reference require us to investigate how Australia can promote a more inclusive society for people with disability,” explains Mr Sackville.

“The letters summarise the views expressed by people with disability at the workshops.

“The experiences of people with disability include damage to wheelchairs not rectified by airlines, being dropped on the floor because the hoist that accommodates wheelchairs is not used correctly, limited access to safe ramps and discrimination against people who rely on assistance dogs.

“The summaries are not findings or authoritative statements by the Royal Commission, but they indicate that people with disability often experience avoidable challenges when travelling by air and that more can be done by airlines and domestic airports to address those challenges.”

Australian Airport Association Chief Executive, James Goodwin, responded to the letter saying that the industry is determined to fix the issues raised by Mr Sackville. 

“Airports continue to work with other parts of the industry – including government agencies that operate at airports — and stakeholders to share information so we can continue to promote inclusive and consistent practices,” says Mr Goodwin.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin also provided brief statements to The Guardian, stating they understand the importance of inclusive travel and are working hard to improve the experience. 

Petition calls for accessible plane redesign

Planes and a wide range of Australia’s public transport systems remain inaccessible to many people with disability.

A lack of ramps, access paths, toilets and spaces designed for people with disability are just some of the issues impacting local and international travel.

Accessible Accommodation Co-Founder, Kerry Williams, says the challenges faced by people with disability are often worsened by the costly and devastating impact of damaged mobility equipment, particularly for wheelchair users.

“The number one challenge is the damage caused to very expensive equipment, most of these wheelchairs are custom fitted for people with disabilities,” says Ms Williams.

“But because the wheelchair is shoved into the cargo hold, it’s common for it to come out broken. 

“Wheelchairs are people’s legs, for want of a better description, so if they are damaged how can anyone go on a holiday or travel?”

Ms Williams says many travellers with a disability also feel “othered” when forced into a public wheelchair that is not their own, or they have to be physically carried and lifted into a chair by staff who are not trained to transfer someone.

Her desire to see a wider range of accessible transport led to the creation of a petition for airlines to allow wheelchairs on planes, with a focus on installing a click-in, click-out system for wheelchairs similar to the setup for accessible taxis.

Ms Williams says the design would not remove any seats from a flight, and a wheelchair user can comfortably remain in their own wheelchair when travelling.

“We understand that allowing wheelchairs on the plane itself is a safety issue,” says Ms Williams.

“But this design allows a person in a wheelchair to not transfer wheelchairs at check-in, not be ‘othered’ and be able to seamlessly go into the plane.

“If you put it from the perspective of an airline, their key consideration is the cost and whether they lose seats.

“These designs would allow them not to lose seats and it does not impact the profitability of the airline.”

The petition currently has 30,000 signatures and Ms Williams is hoping to reach 50,000 to ensure airlines recognise the importance of accessible travel.