Rights on Flights’ Post

People have often been shocked when I talk about my experiences of flying as a wheelchair user. I’ve also been one of the lucky few who hasn’t had a major issue (touch wood), comparable to a lot of others I know. If you missed it last night, check out the Fight to Fly on Channel 4 to better understand the challenges of flying as a wheelchair user. #disability #inclusion #accessibility #wheelchair https://lnkd.in/eZxgbgxT

Bear with me; this is perhaps my lengthiest linkedin post to date. I never felt directly impacted by the lack of decent facilities for people with limited mobility—until now. After an accident left me unable to walk, I needed to board a plane home. Despite informing the airport and airline of my needs in advance, there was no elevator let alone jet bridge or anything that could help me get to the plane in my wheelchair. The ground staff was helpful but limited in how much they could assist. I ended up having to climb steep stairs (photo shown below) by sitting down, turning my back against the stairs, and lifting my body one step at a time with my hands. Not only was it painful but also deeply humiliating, as ~100 people waited and watched me struggle with each step. This experience was so upsetting and made me realize how much I had taken my ability to walk for granted. Yes, I will walk normally again (in ~three weeks). But what about those whose mobility is permanently impaired? Must they give up on air travel, the most convenient mode of transportation, just because of this easily addressable issue? How many airports throughout the nation still fail to meet this basic need? I reviewed the Empowerment of People with Disability Act, the master legislation that accords protections and rights to disabled people in Thailand. To my surprise, this law does not explicitly require agencies/business operators to provide necessary accommodations in such situations. Consequently, I submitted a petition to the National Human Rights Council requesting a legal review of the framework. To be clear, this is not a hostile request but a call for strategic review. There will be no verdict/order against any entity. The aim is to ensure collaboration among agencies to identify and address bottlenecks, whether legal, regulatory, or due to lack of awareness. The final product should be an amendment to the current legal landscape that will accord better rights and protections for people with disability nationwide. A society that treats a certain demographic as an afterthought is simply unjust, and it’s not one I wish for our future generations. #equality #equity #mobility #disabled #humanrights

https://lnkd.in/eeAgYkuG Essential and painful viewing for everyone. Essential because we need to push for change. Painful because it is so accurate. #DisabilityRights #disability #rightsonflights

Enough is Enough: Time to Listen and Act Yesterday, I reached my limit. As a disabled woman with a profound hearing loss, I face persistent discrimination and unacceptable assumptions. Usually, I share educational posts on social media without letting my anger show, but yesterday was different. After venting my frustrations to my coach she suggested I let this out on social media, something I have been reluctant to do. As it happened that evening there was a brilliant and shocking film about flying created by disabled people sharing their horrific treatments in air planes and airports. This film initiated by brilliant Sophie Morgan together with other disabled people confirmed that to make significant changes we need to share our anger publicly. No one should be told to stop going on about disability, which is what so many of us face.  For those who say this- it could be you through an accident/life change. Stats: 80% of disabilities are acquired between the ages of 18-64. Most importantly of all, if people listen and make the necessary changes then we would not need to go on. I too have had a terrible incident at an airport. Because I have a magnet in my skull, I can't go through normal security. Instead of being treated with understanding, I was rushed to the side, separated from my family and friends, and treated like a criminal with a strip search in a side room. When I initially shared this experience, I held back. But it's unacceptable to be treated as less than human. Disabled people have every right to be angry. We are constantly told our needs are too difficult, too expensive, or only beneficial to a few. These statements are false. Changes that accommodate disabled individuals benefit everyone and can even boost business as more people use inclusive services. Listen to us. Truly listen. And then follow through with action. Dismissing our suggestions is not an option. It’s time for real change, for us and for the many others who face similar discrimination daily. We deserve kindness, accommodation, and respect. It starts with listening, but it must end with action. DM me for training, coaching, audits, and talks. We support businesses on making their businesses accessible. Making changes will attract loyal customers and employees. Thanks to two people, who encouraged me to not hold back on some of my negative experiences . Toni Eastwood OBE MBA Jessica Boyes Visual description: Image of Sophie Morgan in her wheelchair sitting and holding her arms outwards on a tarmac in front of an airplane. The Guardian article, title Sophie Morgan's Flight to Fly review- the degradation of disabled people is jaw dropping. #StopDiscrimination #StopMakingAssumptions #DisabilityRights #DisabilityPrideMonth #Training #Living4Moments

I've been letting this slide for far too long, but it needs to be addressed now. I love to travel and explore new cities, as it empowers me as a disabled individual to experience the world, whether on my own or with loved ones. Of course, I require accessibility accommodations to make traveling smoother and more comfortable, especially during my vacation time. However, it feels like I never truly get a day off from disability advocacy, as I'm constantly having to push for my needs to ensure my travel experience is as equitable as everyone else's. This is a burden that people with disabilities are always expected to carry. Airlines and airports must do a much better job of treating people with disabilities, regardless of the accommodations they require. Unfortunately, every time I travel, I find myself in a position where I have to advocate for my own needs, but my recent flights were especially frustrating. I understand that things happen and that some issues are beyond people’s control, but the way disabled travellers are treated is often unacceptable. In my case, not only were my accommodations ignored, but I also missed my flight. Worse, employees suggested that I should have a medical note for next time, making me feel as though my lived experience and voice didn’t matter. It’s disheartening to know that I'm not alone in this; many disabled people face dehumanizing treatment when they travel. So here’s my call to action: Please do better: Airlines, airports, and everyone else involved in the travel experience. Treat disabled individuals with the dignity and respect we deserve. We are customers too, and we love to travel just like everyone else. #disabilityinclusion #accessibility #travel

We’re saddened that significant fines are necessary to address ongoing accessibility issues, but the recent penalty against American Airlines underscores the need to respect the dignity of all passengers. We proudly support our #Tier2 #member, #Air4All, which has been at the forefront of advocating for the #rights of disabled travelers and pushing for essential #improvements in #aviation #accessibility by #developing their own #innovative #ideas. Check out this #article by Runway Girl Network to see how disability rights groups are #making #a #difference in holding the industry accountable: https://lnkd.in/eDBddsa7 Together, we can build a more inclusive and respectful air travel experience for everyone. #AccessibilityInAviation #AirTravelAccessibility #Air4All #AccessibleSkies

🌟🔹 In another first, Barefoot Trust attended a significant State Level Consultative Committee meeting on Accessible Transport on 13/11/2024 after being invited by the Governor as a co-opted member, where critical decisions were made to enhance accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). This committee is entrusted with monitoring the functionality of accessible transportation in the state. 🌟🔹 We were lucky to have the Chief Secretary, Shri Donald Wahlang (I.A.S) chair the session as well as the valuable insights of the Principal Secretary, Shri Sampath Kumar (I.A.S) supported by the Commissioner for Persons with Disability, Kong Doreen Lyngwa. Key Highlights: ♿ Strategic Progress: - STEMS representative to be included in the State Level Committee - 25 out of 50 new EV buses will be fully accessible - Commitment to implement accessible transport initiatives with a sense of urgency 🤝 Civil Society Organizations shared valuable insights: - Phase-wise implementation approach recommended - End-to-end research methodology proposed - Potential CSR funding collaborations - Focus on inclusive design benefiting seniors, children & PwDs - Integration with traffic congestion reduction strategies 📢 Suggested Action Points: - Lay down a short-term, mid-term and long action plan for the implementation of accessible transportation - Enhanced awareness through social media & radio channels - Mr Ferdinand Marshillong spoke very persuasively about the urgent need for the universal implementation of PwD concession rates - Special vehicle identification system for PwD-owned vehicles - Last-mile connectivity improvements It's encouraging to see multi-stakeholder collaboration between government departments, civil society organizations, and disability rights groups. This marks a significant step toward making our transport system truly inclusive and accessible for all. We have much to do and very little time to do it in. #AccessibleTransport #Inclusion #Disability #SustainableTransport #PublicTransport #Transportation #Accessibility #PWD #InclusiveDesign Ferdinand Lyngdoh Sweet Syiemiong Dylan Robby Jones Syiem Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, GOI Sampath Kumar National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People

Clive Gilbert, Policy Connect’s Head of Accessible Transport, has marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by writing in the Transport Times about the importance of involving disabled people in decision making to close the transport accessibility gap.     With the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) launching a Transport Barriers Database, Clive outlines how the Database can provide an interative guide to disabled people’s experiences on the #Transport system, informing and shaping decision making in industry, government, and research. 

To mark the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are proud to announce a series of new developments in our ongoing commitment to embedding accessibility and inclusion into its company culture. A standout advancement is the appointment of Samantha Saunders MCMI, our Head of Assisted Services, to the UK’s Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group. Established by the UK Government, and spearheaded by Baroness Grey-Thompson, a current member of the House of Lords and retired Paralympian, this initiative aims to remove barriers in air travel for passengers with disabilities. A further milestone is the appointment of Andy Lewinton, ABM QHSE Director, as the Executive Sponsor of our Impact Group for Disabled Team Members and Carers. The Impact Group was formed to drive meaningful change by steering the organisation towards greater inclusivity, creating environments that are truly accessible for all, and enhancing the diversity of the ABM community. With Andrew at the helm, we will continue to work towards the group’s mission to embed accessibility and inclusion into the One ABM culture. Read more about our updates here on Facilities Management Journal (FMJ): https://lnkd.in/e-95FFrj #Accessibility #Inclusion #WorkplaceInclusion