Airline code for disabled people

Disability organisations are being consulted over a UK code of
practice for air travel for disabled people.

The draft code from the Department of the Environment, Transport
and the Regions aims to improve the accessibility of air travel to
disabled people and is aimed at everyone involved including travel
agents, tour operators, UK airlines and airports. The Disabled
Persons Transport Advisory Committee is producing a separate guide
aimed at disabled air passengers.

Although the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 covers air
travel in relation to booking services and airport facilities,
aircraft are exempt from its provisions. The code will cover all
aspects of air travel, from accessing information through to
arriving at the final destination. It will also cover the design of
the airport and aircraft.

Organisations being consulted include British Council of
Organisations of Disabled People, Mencap, Scope, Deafblind UK and
Radar.

The Disability Rights Commission is also being consulted. Last
year, its chairperson Bert Massie was turned away from a flight by
Scot Airways after his disabilities were labelled a “safety risk”.
Massie was told on reaching the departure lounge that the airline’s
policy was that all passengers had to be able to walk onto the
plane, although he had informed airline staff that he was a
wheelchair user.

For details go to www.mobility-unit.detr.gov.uk