As today’s UK Civil Aviation Authority report on airport accessibility is heavily critical of four airports in the UK that are failing disabled passengers, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) is taking a stand and doing something about the issue.

To help tackle the problems disabled people have experienced when travelling by air and at airports, QEF set up an Accessible Aviation team, headed by accessibility expert Graham Race. For several years now, this team has been working closely with the aviation industry to help disabled passengers access air travel and offer the information and support they need to have a stress-free experience. This has included holding events in partnership with airports across the UK, to facilitate engagement with their travelling public on accessibility issues, and to highlight and promote good practice.

By working closely with UK airports, airlines and disabled people, QEF are a key partner in helping to improve the service passengers with disabilities receive. This is supported by feedback from a mobility event, Rise 4 Disability, that QEF attended in Peterborough the day before this report was published. Comments included one attendee saying: “I never thought flying was possible until today. Having seen your presentation I will now definitely be flying in the future ”

Speaking about the new report that criticises the four UK airports, Graham Race commented: “The CAA’s report highlights that there were three million requests for special assistance in 2017, and that requests for special assistance are increasing at a rate of around double that of general passenger growth. It is therefore vital that the aviation industry focus on giving passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities the assistance they need to travel by air and to make that experience a positive one.”

About Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People

Based in Surrey, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) is a national charity working with over 5,000 disabled children and adults every year with physical or learning disabilities or acquired brain injuries. Whether it is gaining new life skills for living independently, providing assistive equipment, rebuilding a life affected by brain injury, accessible travel, or acquiring the skills to drive a specially adapted car, QEF helps people to maximise their independence and achieve their goals in life.

ABLE Magazine’s travel section is sponsored by Post Office Travel Insurance