Northern Ireland Trailblazers Inclusion Now campaign.

www.muscular-dystrophy.org 15
I recently flew to Milwaukee from Dublin Airport and the disability team there
arranged a hoist so I could use the bathroom in the airport right up to boarding
the plane. However there is no way to make sure that this arrangement can be
made at the airport you are flying to. It would be less stressful if all airports had a
high-dependency bathroom with a hoist and bench and at least if you can’t use
the bathroom on the airplane, you know you can use this at the airport.
“When I am at home, I use an electric wheelchair. However I won’t take this with me
on an airplane (I take my manual wheelchair), as they treat wheelchairs with such
disrespect – my own manual wheelchair has been damaged.
“I have found it is becoming easier in European countries to hire equipment like
hoists and electric wheelchairs and have these delivered to your accommodation.
However, when you are out and about, the toilet issue raises its head again, as they
do not have hoist facilities; this is also an issue in the UK.
Julianne Gribbon
Common
concerns
n Airlines refusing
passengers travelling
with vital pieces of
medical equipment,
e.g. wheelchairs, hoists
and oxygen.
n Damage to equipment.
n ‘Accessible rooms and
bathrooms’ being open
to interpretation and
being unsuitable.
n Lack of accessible
transport when travelling.
n Lack of staff training
when moving and
handling disabled
passengers on to
aircraft seats.
n Lack of accessible toilets
at airports and on board
the aircraft.
Actions needed
TOP TIPS
INVESTIGATE the possibility
of taking a portable hoist
with you or see if there are
any organisations nearby
which rent them.
PHONE AHEAD to see if
there are photographs
of the hotel and room,
ask questions and do
some research about the
surrounding area.
IF POSSIBLE, check out local
transport systems and see
if there are any accessible
van hires/taxis.
WHEN BOOKING a hotel, it
is often beneficial to look
for one which is central
if you get stuck you can
walk/wheel back.
CHECK WITH the airline
about wheelchair storage
and give them 48 hours
notice about your needs.
MANY TRAVEL companies
have specialist assistance
lines; make sure they email
you with information.
n Accurate and detailed travel information to be available in advance to allow passengers
to make informed decisions about airlines.
n Airlines, airports and designers to look at new and innovative ways of storing medical
equipment safely and securely.
n Airlines, airports and designers to look at improving the access of toilets on board
the aircraft.
n Changing Places toilets to be available at all airports.
n Tour operators to invest in staff training so customers receive accurate and
relevant information.
n Photographs and access information relating to hotels to be made publicly available.
n More hotels to have hoists and bathing seats, or information to signpost to nearest
available rental companies for these.
n More investment in training for airport staff on transferring disabled passengers to
aircraft seats.
n Tour operators, airlines and airports to engage actively with organisations like
Trailblazers to ensure that they are meeting the needs of disabled customers.
anirav/istock