Arising from incessant discrimination of persons with disabilities in Aviation Sector, one of the organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE), through their project “Accessible Aviation” supported by Voice Nigeria, organized a sensitization training of aviation officers.
The Executive Director of CARE, Dr. Chike Okogwu and the Executive Director, The Qualitative Magazine, Agbo Chris, in their separate speeches alluded that some airlines are insisting that PWDs must travel with aides which implies that they must buy double ticket whereby placing a lot financial burden on PWDs whenever wish to travel by air.
Dr. Chike also pointed out unavailability of aisle chairs at the aircrafts which has made wheelchair users immobile in the aircrafts.
He also pointed out the issue of demanding for payment from a wheelchair user for carrying him or her on board and issuing receipt for that effect. Some Persons with disabilities have been charged as much as N4, 500 and they were issued receipt.
He used the opportunity to apologize to Dana Air, saying that what they did to him was wrong, he felt that he overacted and he is apologizing because two wrongs don’t make a right. He added that he is apologizing because it could be one of the moves that will make Accessible Aviation to become a reality.
Mr. Chris Agbo in his speech also urged the Aviation Authorities to involve always OPDs to make input in their policy formulations because there are different types of disabilities and it is only when OPDs are involved that their needs would be well captured.
Olalekan Abdulsalam, the Clerk, House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities and Special Needs representing the House Committee Chairman on Disabilities and Special Needs, Hon. Miriam Onuoha who left but left her aides behind and participated virtually, called on Aviation authorities to follow what the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 proposed on aviation on Section 14, adopt the sanctions in accordance with the Act if there is any but if the Act did not apportion sanctions, the Aviation Authorities should formulate sanctions to aid the compliance to the Act by Aviation sector.
He cited example with issue of demanding that a person with disability must pay for two tickets before he or she would be allowed to board. He counselled that such action, there should be sanctions coming from the aviation authorities.
Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, the Director, Air Transport Regulation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) representing the Director General, NCAA in his response to the complains, said that it is wrong to insist that a person with disability must travel with an aide. He said that such directive does not exist in the aviation laws or policies.
He said that it is equally wrong to demand money from a passenger on wheelchair for the reason of carrying him or her to board.
He assured that NCAA will investigate the matters raised and any airline found indulging on such would be sanctioned.
He said that NCAA have in their policy issues about Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) as the aviation referred to Persons with disabilities especially those with mobility impairment and how they should be catered for in the airport was well spelt out.
He also said that aisle chair is not available in all airlines but he assured that NCAA will engage airlines to ensure the provision of aisle chairs.
He urged the airlines present to take the issue of PRM seriously, ensure that the policy of NCAA on PRM is strictly followed.
“Don’t keep PRM passengers on the Sun, ensure that you are ready to board before taking them out, make sure you board them first and they would be the last to disembark” he counselled.
Capt Chris Najomo also said that all Airlines have partner handler companies like Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) who handle PRMs. Every airline has a deal to handle PRM with the Handlers.
Ifueko Abdulmalik also from NCAA said that PRM have ways they should be taken care of at the airport which all the airlines are aware of. PWDs should be provided from the point of securing the boarding pass up to the time of boarding and it is the duty of the airlines to ensure that the PRM is comfortable.
“That’s why at the time of booking, an opportunity for a passenger to indicate the kind of assistance he or she may require at the airport”.
“Airlines should make available Wheelchair for the PRM and board the PRM first and the PRM should be the last to disembark and he or she should be taking care of till the point of departing from the airport”.
“In case of cancellation of flight, the affected airline must provide for the PRM, hotel accommodation and feeding”.
She informed that NCAA is planning a stakeholder forum where they will bring organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and other stakeholders together to find solutions on how air travel can be made easier for persons with disabilities. There would be a training of aviation staff to have a better understanding about disability inclusion while discharging their duties.
Hajia Aisha Amuju Peku, representing Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) assured FAAN’s commitment to the safety of all passengers including passengers with disabilities. She pointed out the importance of training which buttressed the fact that accessible aviation for PWDs should be taken seriously in the aviation sector.
Okman Ndolo who represented Air Peace suggested that Aviation Authorities and the airlines should consider the tickets rebate for PWDs which he said that such discount will go long towards alleviating the suffering of PWDs in air travels. He promised that Air Peace through kindness of their Chairman will implement it without hesitation. He then encouraged CARE to reach out to Air Peace management on the issue and he is hopeful that it will get a nod.
Other airlines represented at the training were Azman Air represented by Ruth Aruwa, United Airline represented by Mrs. Faith Nkechi Bia Lornenge. They all made commitment towards accessible aviation.
Mr. Dahiru Sajo Bobbo, Director, Vulnerable Groups Department of the National Human Rights who assured the commitment of NHRC towards ensuring the compliance to Disability Rights Act by all sectors, which is their mandate as one of the agencies represented at the board of National Commission of Persons With Disabilities.
Kaseina Dashe and Christy Asala from Incognito represented Voice Nigeria, Incognito is an organization in charge of linking and learning of all Voice grantees. Christy Asala speaking on behalf of the team said that they are excited about what CARE is doing and it has been a moment of learning for them because they did learn some new technologies, especially addressing PWDs in a manner that is acceptable by them. She also stated that the whole essence of CARE intervention is to create a more friendly environment for PWDs so that they can thrive like their counterparts.
TQM reports that CARE will also launch Scissor Airlift which would make boarding and disembarking easier for wheelchair users.
TQM also reports that a video on how accessible aviation should be, will be produced in the next three months, which CARE will produce in collaboration with NCAA and FAAN and it would be produced in different local languages.
