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From the
Norwich Evening News in the UK:
A Norwich man is fighting for a change in legislation to allow disabled flyers to stay in their wheelchairs during flights.
Powered wheelchair user Mark Womersley (pictured) says the current practice airlines have of transferring disabled passengers to seats is “undignified and uncomfortable”.
Now Mr Womersley, a member of Norwich City Powerchair Football Club, has started a petition on the 10 Downing Street website and is calling on people in the city to support the battle for
The 42-year-old, from Northfields, said: “The reason I do not like flying, and have not done so since 1994, is because of the undignified and uncomfortable way I have to be transferred on to the plane.
“Being lifted and carried by unqualified, and generally unwilling staff, down a narrow aisle, or by way of a narrow aisle wheelchair (more akin to a sack barrow), only to be placed in an uncomfortable seat unsuitable for all but the most narrow and upright of body shapes.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents airline operators, says the batteries, which power some of the wheelchairs, fall under the regulation of dangerous goods and can only be transported in the aircraft baggage compartment.
A spokesman for the IATA said: “Aircraft are not equipped to secure wheelchairs for take-off, landing or in the event of turbulence. “Modern aircraft are equipped with seats which are designed to withstand forces up to 16G. Assuming the aircraft would allow space to secure a wheelchair, it is unlikely the wheelchair would withstand a rejected take-off or an accident.
“Most aircraft aisles are also not wide enough to allow the use of a standard wheelchair, nor are most aircraft provisioned with adequate space between seat rows to allow the presence of a wheelchair.
“The wheelchair also presents an egress hazard to passengers during emergencies. There are well established reasons for the requirements to stow carry on items before takeoff and landing, and a wheelchair would very like block a seat row, or the aircraft aisle, following any type of accident.”
However, Mr Womersley believes the real reason is because it would take up the space of about four economy seats.
He said: “The main reason, as is usual where disability and equality is concerned, is a financial one.
“To be able to accommodate a wheelchair user, in their wheelchair, on a plane, they would probably have to remove four of the economy seats.
“I know that this dislike of flying that I have must be shared by many others in a similar position, with it preventing them also from being able to enjoy a holiday, or business trip abroad.
“So I'm asking not just those people, but also anybody else who can empathise with this position, to sign up to this group and hopefully start a campaign to take to the governing bodies concerned.”
The petition can be signed online at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Disabledflyers/
