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Many travellers with disability often face a broad range of systemic barriers when it comes to navigating the aviation industry, which is why the Australian government is currently in the process of co-designing eleven initiatives outlined in the Aviation White Paper, according to the Minister for Transport.
The Aviation White Paper sets out long-term policies and actions for the future of the Australian aviation industry, including improvements to the sector that protects the rights of people with disability, according to Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
One of these initiatives includes creating new aviation-specific disability standards by modernising the 2002 Disability Standards for Public Transport, as stated in the White Paper.
Powerd Media spoke with Minister for Transport, Catherine King, who claims the aviation industry is already consulting with the disability community, incorporating co-design methodologies and trialling solutions.
“This has already seen airports and airlines try to work out what they can do to lift their game, which is a good thing,” she says.
The Minister referred to a trial where once a traveller with disability arrives at the airport terminal, there are coordinators who will take them through their entire journey.
I, myself, have noted pre-boarding for some airlines seems to be starting much earlier for passengers who might need further assistance,
Minister for Transport, Catherine King
Australia isn’t the only country upgrading their aviation standards for the disability community.
Overnight, Dubai based airline company, Emirates, announced their own enhancements for travellers with disability, including a new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub for global customers. The Hub is said to provide information for travellers with varying accessibility requirements and enabling them to plan their journey by specific need, according to the Emirates website.
As for the new Western Sydney Airport, Minister King explains the design was built in compliance with existing standards, but also “stretched as best as they can.”
“It's not often you get to do an airport from scratch and that's what we've done,” she says.
“They've designed it in an accessible way, but also in a way where it's a calming space. The environment of the airport itself is beautiful. It's got a lot of stone and wood, light, a lot of passive seating. A lot of ways you can move about quickly.”
Minister King says any new standards will be implemented to maintain the highest quality of modern accessibility.
Disability has been very much part of the Western Sydney Airport author's brief to actually make sure we do improve things for people with disabilities
Minister for Transport, Catherine King