Wheelchairs allowed on planes- a petition by Accessible Accommodation

Wheelchairs allowed on planes- a petition by Accessible Accommodation

Started
5 February 2020
Petition to
Signatures: 38,325Next Goal: 50,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Kerry Williams

People with mobility challenges & physical disabilities love to travel as much as anyone else. Part of their experience is airline travel. Passengers with mobility challenges who use an electric (or manual) wheelchair want to use their chair in the cabin. This reduces the risk of damage to their expensive chairs and the stress & discomfort of transferring to their seat.

Currently, a wheelchair user has to overcome the challenge of transferring from their wheelchair to the seat on a flight.  Airlines agree it could be done differently, but little has been done to actually implement a solution yet. This petition calls for Airlines based in Australia to change this. You may have a disability, be a carer for someone who has a disability or a family member that knows just how frustrating and upsetting it can be to fly with these sorts of restrictions. Let's tell our fantastic airlines that we want this to change!

There are designs for wheelchair users to wheel directly onto their flight, proving it is doable!

Whatever the best solution is, will be worked out by Engineers, Policy Makers, Aircraft Designers. And yes, safety testing etc takes time. Right now though, we want Airlines to commit to implementing wheelchairs inside the cabin by 2028. 5 years should be long enough.  Let's make it happen! Sign our petition. We will take our petition to Airlines in Australia and CASA, the governing bodies. 

We would like to enter into constructive dialogue with airlines on the challenges people with disabilities face when flying. 
These include:

  • no accessible toilets on planes
  • mistreatment ( due to lack of understanding of disability) by airport and airline staff
  • damage to precious wheelchairs in cargo hold ( because they can’t take them in the cabin. 

Your comments are equally important. 

Kerry 

Founder- Accessible Accommodation 

https://www.accessibleaccommodation.com.

PS  here are links to just two excellent and practical designs:

Delta Flight Products in the USA have this prototype that  seamlessly converts to and from a traditional airplane seat. The built-in seat folds up to allow a wheelchair to be docked into place. The seat would be installed into pre-existing aircraft seat track systems, so would not involve any structural change to the airplane. https://youtu.be/Bt5lQffdgEA?si=jJU-JcueGlQOXGlJ

 

Here is a Youtube Video by Hank Scott, CEO at Molon Labe Seating who is collaborating with Delta and Boeing in the USA. https://youtu.be/pFkhj7xi1v8

https://www.aviationpros.com/engines-components/aircraft-airframe-accessories/interiors/press-release/21130472/molon-labe-seating-new-airline-seat-design-will-allow-disabled-passengers-to-fly-in-their-own-wheelchairs

Air 4 All system allows wheelchair users to travel in their own wheelchair on board a commercial aircraft without reducing the seat count for airlines. The design has been created by a consortium comprising PriestmanGoode, SWS Certification and Flying Disabled.

https://www.priestmangoode.com/pg-unveils-innovation-to-improve-accessible-air-travel/

https://youtu.be/URm1f2yTKeg

https://youtu.be/3Q1LwAvdTXY

Support now
Signatures: 38,325Next Goal: 50,000
Support now
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