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Category: Blog

The ‘Post Global Accessibility Symposium’ one

It’s a bit like Cricket, you expect your opener to do something exceptional and Simon Ralph from IATA did not disappoint when he took his position, he hits a six straight into the crowd, telling the delegates ‘this is long long overdue’. This was the inaugural IATA Global Accessibility Symposium in Dubai; I believe the start of something special and Simon said what every advocate and accessibility stakeholder had been saying for many years.

All the speakers delivered with passion and we all learnt something, the more we learn and understand from advocates and stakeholders the more we can help each other. Delegates came from all corners of the globe, for many (like me) those little social media pictures of the people we interact with on a regular basis suddenly came to life, the body language oozes passion.

There are many high priorities to make air travel more accessible, so what should come first? Perhaps the start of harmonisation? Scott Steiner from the Canadian Transport Association delivered a stunning speech and threw a couple of those metaphorical grenades into the room, the big take away is how the CTA have legislated all domestic flights to allow a free attendant/PA/Carer free. Here is an opportunity to take that baton of a precedent and run it towards harmonisation, however I am not so naïve to think that this can be done with one stripe of a pen, but a trigger for a 6-month consultation would be the start.

My personal thanks go to IATA’s Linda Ristagno for her recent work on this and engaging with the advocates and stakeholders to make the Symposium a success. Perhaps the next one could bring the innovators, those that have tangible solutions or just want to pitch and get feedback.

The IATA hashtag #FlyInclusive now hangs over social media with the others that send a message #FlyingForAll #WheelchAIRtravel.

The ‘Global Accessibility Symposium’ one

This weekend I fly to Dubai for the first ever symposium on accessibility in air travel held by IATA, titled ‘Global Accessibility Symposium’. This follows IATA’s recent statement in Seoul from Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

“Airlines were ahead of their time when, 50 years ago, we set out standards to ensure passengers with disabilities had access to air travel. But now we need to go further. The numbers of persons with disabilities travelling by air are set to increase significantly as populations expand and grow older. We applaud the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. With today’s resolution the industry is committed to ensure that passengers living with disability can travel safely and with dignity,”

I think the last line of this statement is the most important, travel safely and with dignity. I will be driving this all the way to Fait Accompli; the biggest challenge will be those who need to travel in their own postural built power wheelchair. My research tells me this is not the biggest technical challenge aviation has ever faced by a long way; however culturally it will be a shot in the arm.

However, quite rightly the Symposium will cover a host of accessibility subjects, all of which need remedies. There is already great work being done: airports are already implementing procedures and looking at their infrastructure. Astute airports are (or have) put together advisory groups to identify where the challenges are – more importantly seeking solutions. With the help of the legislators and regulators, statutory guidelines will be put in place with a view to harmonisation.

I for one am glad to have IATA on board with this initiative, if you are not including then you are excluding. With their help we have a road towards truly making ‘Flying for All’.

#WheelchAIRtravel