The Airport Council International (ACI) Europe has announced that it has launched a set of new international guidance that is specifically aimed at airports.
These will aid the relevant authorities at airports provide support and assistance to passengers who struggle with non-visible disabilities.
Eurostat
As per the statistical office in the EU, Eurostat, one in four adults residing in the member states struggles with some kind of disability.
Consequently, around 80% of all these conditions are not visible to onlookers or even recognized for a long time.
Thus, ACI Europe gave a statement to talk about the new tool that they have come up with to aid passengers with non-visible disabilities.
It went on to add that this tool would allow airport authorities to identify the non-visible disabilities that passengers may be experiencing.
As a result, it would allow staff to help visitors through any travel barriers that could be arising due to the disabilities.
Moreover, the new global guidance will facilitate the handling of sensitive information related to the passengers.
This will be done in a bid to meet the expectations and needs of the passengers, ensuring that they receive the best care when they travel, while keeping their medical history private.
ACI Europe
The organization has also noted that an increased awareness and some adjustments in the services offered by airports, they can ensure that they provide equal rights to travelers with visible and non-visible disabilities.
As a result, ACI Europe hopes that it will be able to allow airports to align themselves with the fundamental principles of EU law, which state that everyone should have free movement, freedom of choice, as well as face zero-discrimination.
Oilvier Jankovec, the general director of the organization, took to placing emphasis on the vitality of providing accessibility to any and all passengers.
He went on to state that travel is every person’s fundamental right, which is why it strives to cater to those who struggle with varying disabilities.
The director further explained that the document guidance provided by ACI Europe helps ascertain practical examples for the airport management to follow.
Furthermore, he hopes that the document will help the airport staff deal in a compassionate and respectful manner with those who do not have visible disabilities.
In his words, Olivier expressed that he wants to see air travel becoming more inclusive and that every passenger enjoys a respectful and dignified journey, which is marked by equal access to the wonders of the EU.
The past
Before this guidance, travelers with such conditions used to be grouped in a general category and would be given the same airport assistance.
But now, they have been placed into a completely different group to be given greater airport assistance services.
As per ACI Europe, the development and launch of this guidance is proof that people are starting to pay more attention to accessibility and inclusivity.
It added that there should be additional awareness regarding the issue, so that more proactive steps can be taken to address the needs of passengers with non-visible disabilities.
