I don't agree with points 3 and 5. Let us not forget that airline fairs are so low that providing concession on the discounted tickets is asking too much. Not matter what we say, carrying passengers like us is certainly an additional cost for the airlines. In such circumstances, I do not think it is reasonable to ask for concessions on discounted tickets. Our insistence should be on services alone.
Similarly, when we ask for services from the airlines, there is no point in asking concession for the escort. There have been instances in my childhood when I was allowed to travel to places with others simply for the reason that the total cost of my ticket and that of my escort turns out to be cheaper than the full ticket. This provision will certainly be misused. I think it is important to define the blindness category in the regulations. 99% of blind passengers do not require a wheel chair and this fact has to be mentioned in the regulations. Regards, Kiran. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dr Rakesh Jain Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 1:14 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [AI] DGCA Guidelines for Blind passengers travelling by Air Dear Friends, Director General, Civil Aviation has prepared some guidelines for blind passengers and persons with disabilities travelling by Air. We are supposed to send our suggestion before they are finally adopted and issued as instructions for airlines. I am reproducing below the draft proposal and also recommendations prepared by one of our members Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha. May I request you to send your suggestions as recommendations to DGCA at the earliest so that we may not lose any opportunity to make them realise our needs and requirements during air travel. I must draw your attention to some points that you must consider: 1. Jet Airways always makes blind passengers sit in the last row which is closest to the toilets. They tell us that they want to keep us nearest to the crew so that in case of any emergencey they may take proper and good care of blind passengers. Our submisstion is that the rear portion of the aircraft is more noisy as compared to the front portion and why should be made to sit closest to the toilets and get continuously disturbed by the visits of the passengers to the toilet? 2. Blind passengers myst be provided shuttle lounge facility at the airports with attendant. Normally, airport authorities make us sit with common public and the attendant goes away. He comes to pick us up only when the boarding starts. In the meanwhile, if we need any assistance for going to the toilet or drinking water or tea etc. we have no choice but to wait for him. If we are allowed lounge facility, all of our problems would be taken care of by the lounge attendant. 3. Airlines should give us concession on all categories of fairs. The airlines have a special category of fair with a very limited number of seats. Actually, we don't get any concession, it is actually a discounted ticket which is almost double the cost of cheapest fair available today in airlines. This means, they issue us tickets in waiting in spite of the availibality of seats in other categories of fair. 5. Escort should also get concessional tickets in air travel. So, Here's the draft proposal followed by suggestion and recommendations of Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha. DRAFT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Director General of Civil Aviation Opp. Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi-110003 CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 3 - AIRTRANSPORT SERIES 'M' PART II JULY, 2006 EFFECTIVE FORTHWITH Subject: Carriage of physically challenged passengers 1. INTRODUCTION: Due to open sky policy the number of aircraft have increased for scheduled operation. Air transport has also become cheaper and is in the reach of common person. A large number of elderly passengers are traveling fare and wide, aboard commercial flights. Older and less healthy passengers often fly and it is expected that the airlines will look after them, should the need arise. Passengers with medical and physical disability also expect that all necessary facilities will be provided to them in-flight, without discrimination. Besides being a humanitarian issue, the scheduled services airlines cannot absolve themselves from their responsibility from providing facilities to the physically challenged passengers. 2. APPLICABILITY: The requirements of the CAR are applicable to all the scheduled airlines to prevent discrimination against the physically challenged passengers. The airlines may give a detailed procedure for handling such passengers in their Citizen Charter Chapter on their website for the knowledge of the public. This CAR is issued in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules 1937. 3. PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PASSENGERS 3.1 DEFINITION This expression includes disabled and invalid passengers. A passenger is considered incapacitated when his physical, mental or medical condition requires individual attention (while enplaning and deplaning, during flight, in an emergency evacuation and during ground handling) which is normally not extended to other passengers. This requirement will become apparent from special request made by the passengers and/or their family or a medical authority, or from obvious abnormal physical or mental conditions observed and reported by airline personnel or industry associated persons (travel agents etc.). There may also be requests from interline partners to provide through transportation to incapacitated passengers for which special arrangements may be needed. 3.2 CODES The following terms are used in all traffic documents namely movement messages, passenger service messages, boarding pass, load sheet, reservations request etc. MEDA (Medical case) Company medical clearance may be required STCR (Stretcher Passenger) WCHR (Wheelchair - R for Ramp) - Passenger can ascend/descend steps and make own way to/from cabin seat but requires wheelchair for distance to/from aircraft, i.e., across ramp, finger - dock or to mobile lounge as applicable. WCHS (Wheelchair - S for Steps) - Passenger cannot ascent/descend steps, but is able to make own way to/from cabin seat; requires wheelchair for distance to/from aircraft or mobile lounge and must be carried up/down steps. WCHC (Wheelchair - C for Cabin Seat) - Passenger completely immobile; requires wheelchair to/from aircraft/Mobile lounge and must be carried up/Down steps and to/from cabin seat. BLND (Blind passenger) - specify if accompanied by seeing - eye dog. DEAF (Deaf passenger) - specify if accompanied by hearing dog. The above codes are IATA accepted codes for AIRIMP. While originating request for such a category of passenger, these codes should be used in OSI element followed by name of passenger and other information as needed. The airlines should adopt a procedure that whenever the reservations are made, Airport shall be advised that the passenger needing special attention has been booked on the subject flight, at least 24 hours before departure. In case the reservation is made within the last 24 hours before departures, the Airport shall be advised immediately. At the Airport, on receipt of such information, appropriate action for arranging the required assistance needed by the passenger, must be taken in advance. The fact should also be advised to the Flight Despatch Unit, for proper briefing to the Cabin Crew, at least 12 hours before scheduled departure. For this purpose, the airlines may print a slip locally, as given in Appendix 'A', if required. 3.3 NOTIFICATION Customer Services Officer/Duty Officer must fill up the slip, as given in Appendix 'A', in triplicate and forward one copy to Flight Despatch Unit, with a copy to check-in counter. The third copy is for the staff responsible to see of the departure of the flight and station record. The enroute and destination station(s) must be advised that passenger(s) needing special attention is/are on board and the services needed by such passenger(s) at enroute/destination station(s). As far as possible when advice for travel of passenger needing special attention is received, such passengers should be met by customer services staff in the check-in area and assisted in completion of check-in formalities. The boarding pass issued to such passengers should reflect the category code on both the stub and passenger's portion. 3.4 BOARDING The presence of such category of passengers must be advised to Captain or the Cabin Crew prior to start of boarding. Such passengers should be boarded ahead of rest of the normal passengers, as far as possible. 3.5 DISEMBARKATION Incapacitated passengers and their escorts shall normally be disembarked after other passengers. 3.6 TRANSIT STATION Incapacitated passengers shall be retained on board during transit stops unless otherwise required under safety regulations. 3.7 OFFLOADING In case passengers have to be off-loaded due to over sales or any other restrictions, incapacitated passenger should be accorded highest priority for transportation and should not be normally offloaded. If traveling on international flights, they shall be assisted by ground staff in completion of formalities like customs/immigration etc. 3.8 STRETCHER CASE All stations must ensure availability of stretcher(s) the number to be decided depending upon the quantum of traffic loads. Stretchers and associated equipment like blankets, pillows, sheets, etc. to be provided to passengers who can not use the standard cabin seat in a sitting or reclining position on payment of applicable tariff. When a passenger on stretcher or otherwise is put on oxygen, smoking will be prohibited within 3.1 meters on ground. 3.9 WHEEL CHAIRS All airlines must ensure availability of wheel chairs in working conditions and provided to passengers when needed. Passengers having their own wheel chairs and who wish to check in the same as registered baggage may be permitted to do so and the airlines wheel chair may be provided for transportation to/from aircraft at both departure and arrival stations. If the passenger has checked-in his own wheel chair, the same should be delivered at the aircraft side before disembarkation, if required. 3.10 SEATING Such passengers shall not to be seated near the emergency exist point but they should be seated as close as possible to the toilets and/or cabin attendants' seat. Escorts shall be given seats immediately adjacent to the passenger they are escorting. Passengers with stiff legs, fractured legs in plaster, paraplegics etc. should be accommodated in seats allowing the maximum space for their comfort. Limbs in plaster cast should not obstruct the aisle or emergency exists. Passengers with mobility problems should be seated so as not to impede rapid evacuation or aircraft in emergency. They should not be seated near the exists provided with chutes (escaped slides). Persons with disability affecting one side of their body should be seated in an aisle seat with the unaffected side of their body towards the aisle. This will facilitate their mobility in cases of emergency. Blind or Deaf passengers traveling with specially trained dogs should be given seats which allow space for the dog, near a floor level exist but which do not impede access to it. 3.11 BRIEFING TO PASSENGER BY CABIN CREW: Cabin Crew would personally and individually brief such passengers/their escorts on emergency procedures and cabin layout. 3.12 PASSENGERS WITH INFANTS Passengers traveling with infants should be allowed to check-in without queue and if needed they should be provided assistant to carry the baby bassinet (carry out). If needed, Airlines may also provide bassinet for use on board the aircraft only. Cabin Crew should assist such passengers in embarking/disembarking and also during the flight. 3.13 CARRY COTS Passenger intending to use Airlines carry cots have to request for the same in advance. If such requests are received while making reservation, Duty Officer, reservations must advise airport about the requirement so that the same are placed on board. Airlines should give aircraft-wise detail where such carrycots can be carried out. 3.14 DELAYED FLIGHTS In case of delay to flights, such passengers should be individually looked after by the Customer Services staff and arrangements to be made as per the need of the passenger. (P.K. CHATTOPADHYAY) JOINT DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION APPENDIX 'A' (Passenger needing special attention) 1. Flight No. __________________ Date _____________ 2. Destination 3. Name of Passenger 4. Category (use codes) 5. Other special information. DRAFT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Director General of Civil Aviation Opp. Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi-110003 CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 3 - AIRTRANSPORT SERIES 'M' PART II JULY, 2006 EFFECTIVE FORTHWITH Subject: Carriage of physically challenged passengers 1. INTRODUCTION: Due to open sky policy the number of aircraft have increased for scheduled operation. Air transport has also become cheaper and is in the reach of common person. A large number of elderly passengers are traveling fare and wide, aboard commercial flights. Older and less healthy passengers often fly and it is expected that the airlines will look after them, should the need arise. Passengers with medical and physical disability also expect that all necessary facilities will be provided to them in-flight, without discrimination. Besides being a humanitarian issue, the scheduled services airlines cannot absolve themselves from their responsibility from providing facilities to the physically challenged passengers. 2. APPLICABILITY: The requirements of the CAR are applicable to all the scheduled airlines to prevent discrimination against the physically challenged passengers. The airlines may give a detailed procedure for handling such passengers in their Citizen Charter Chapter on their website for the knowledge of the public. This CAR is issued in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules 1937. 3. PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PASSENGERS 3.1 DEFINITION This expression includes disabled and invalid passengers. A passenger is considered incapacitated when his physical, mental or medical condition requires individual attention (while enplaning and deplaning, during flight, in an emergency evacuation and during ground handling) which is normally not extended to other passengers. This requirement will become apparent from special request made by the passengers and/or their family or a medical authority, or from obvious abnormal physical or mental conditions observed and reported by airline personnel or industry associated persons (travel agents etc.). There may also be requests from interline partners to provide through transportation to incapacitated passengers for which special arrangements may be needed. 3.2 CODES The following terms are used in all traffic documents namely movement messages, passenger service messages, boarding pass, load sheet, reservations request etc. MEDA (Medical case) Company medical clearance may be required STCR (Stretcher Passenger) WCHR (Wheelchair - R for Ramp) - Passenger can ascend/descend steps and make own way to/from cabin seat but requires wheelchair for distance to/from aircraft, i.e., across ramp, finger - dock or to mobile lounge as applicable. WCHS (Wheelchair - S for Steps) - Passenger cannot ascent/descend steps, but is able to make own way to/from cabin seat; requires wheelchair for distance to/from aircraft or mobile lounge and must be carried up/down steps. WCHC (Wheelchair - C for Cabin Seat) - Passenger completely immobile; requires wheelchair to/from aircraft/Mobile lounge and must be carried up/Down steps and to/from cabin seat. BLND (Blind passenger) - specify if accompanied by seeing - eye dog. DEAF (Deaf passenger) - specify if accompanied by hearing dog. The above codes are IATA accepted codes for AIRIMP. While originating request for such a category of passenger, these codes should be used in OSI element followed by name of passenger and other information as needed. The airlines should adopt a procedure that whenever the reservations are made, Airport shall be advised that the passenger needing special attention has been booked on the subject flight, at least 24 hours before departure. In case the reservation is made within the last 24 hours before departures, the Airport shall be advised immediately. At the Airport, on receipt of such information, appropriate action for arranging the required assistance needed by the passenger, must be taken in advance. The fact should also be advised to the Flight Despatch Unit, for proper briefing to the Cabin Crew, at least 12 hours before scheduled departure. For this purpose, the airlines may print a slip locally, as given in Appendix 'A', if required. 3.3 NOTIFICATION Customer Services Officer/Duty Officer must fill up the slip, as given in Appendix 'A', in triplicate and forward one copy to Flight Despatch Unit, with a copy to check-in counter. The third copy is for the staff responsible to see of the departure of the flight and station record. The enroute and destination station(s) must be advised that passenger(s) needing special attention is/are on board and the services needed by such passenger(s) at enroute/destination station(s). As far as possible when advice for travel of passenger needing special attention is received, such passengers should be met by customer services staff in the check-in area and assisted in completion of check-in formalities. The boarding pass issued to such passengers should reflect the category code on both the stub and passenger's portion. 3.4 BOARDING The presence of such category of passengers must be advised to Captain or the Cabin Crew prior to start of boarding. Such passengers should be boarded ahead of rest of the normal passengers, as far as possible. 3.5 DISEMBARKATION Incapacitated passengers and their escorts shall normally be disembarked after other passengers. 3.6 TRANSIT STATION Incapacitated passengers shall be retained on board during transit stops unless otherwise required under safety regulations. 3.7 OFFLOADING In case passengers have to be off-loaded due to over sales or any other restrictions, incapacitated passenger should be accorded highest priority for transportation and should not be normally offloaded. If traveling on international flights, they shall be assisted by ground staff in completion of formalities like customs/immigration etc. 3.8 STRETCHER CASE All stations must ensure availability of stretcher(s) the number to be decided depending upon the quantum of traffic loads. Stretchers and associated equipment like blankets, pillows, sheets, etc. to be provided to passengers who can not use the standard cabin seat in a sitting or reclining position on payment of applicable tariff. When a passenger on stretcher or otherwise is put on oxygen, smoking will be prohibited within 3.1 meters on ground. 3.9 WHEEL CHAIRS All airlines must ensure availability of wheel chairs in working conditions and provided to passengers when needed. Passengers having their own wheel chairs and who wish to check in the same as registered baggage may be permitted to do so and the airlines wheel chair may be provided for transportation to/from aircraft at both departure and arrival stations. If the passenger has checked-in his own wheel chair, the same should be delivered at the aircraft side before disembarkation, if required. 3.10 SEATING Such passengers shall not to be seated near the emergency exist point but they should be seated as close as possible to the toilets and/or cabin attendants' seat. Escorts shall be given seats immediately adjacent to the passenger they are escorting. Passengers with stiff legs, fractured legs in plaster, paraplegics etc. should be accommodated in seats allowing the maximum space for their comfort. Limbs in plaster cast should not obstruct the aisle or emergency exists. Passengers with mobility problems should be seated so as not to impede rapid evacuation or aircraft in emergency. They should not be seated near the exists provided with chutes (escaped slides). Persons with disability affecting one side of their body should be seated in an aisle seat with the unaffected side of their body towards the aisle. This will facilitate their mobility in cases of emergency. Blind or Deaf passengers traveling with specially trained dogs should be given seats which allow space for the dog, near a floor level exist but which do not impede access to it. 3.11 BRIEFING TO PASSENGER BY CABIN CREW: Cabin Crew would personally and individually brief such passengers/their escorts on emergency procedures and cabin layout. 3.12 PASSENGERS WITH INFANTS Passengers traveling with infants should be allowed to check-in without queue and if needed they should be provided assistant to carry the baby bassinet (carry out). If needed, Airlines may also provide bassinet for use on board the aircraft only. Cabin Crew should assist such passengers in embarking/disembarking and also during the flight. 3.13 CARRY COTS Passenger intending to use Airlines carry cots have to request for the same in advance. If such requests are received while making reservation, Duty Officer, reservations must advise airport about the requirement so that the same are placed on board. Airlines should give aircraft-wise detail where such carrycots can be carried out. 3.14 DELAYED FLIGHTS In case of delay to flights, such passengers should be individually looked after by the Customer Services staff and arrangements to be made as per the need of the passenger. (P.K. CHATTOPADHYAY) JOINT DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION APPENDIX 'A' (Passenger needing special attention) 1. Flight No. __________________ Date _____________ 2. Destination 3. Name of Passenger 4. Category (use codes) 5. Other special information. Recommendations of Shri Pincha: 1. INTRODUCTION: a.. The introduction as envisaged in the draft guidelines should be completely replaced. It should contain the preamble, objectives of the guidelines and some non- negotiable principles, which will govern the said guidelines. . Preamble The preamble could highlight the need for taking steps towards creation of Barrier free, Inclusive, and Rights - Based society as envisaged in the Biwako - Millennium Frame Work (BMF) for passengers with disabilities mentioning the fact that India is a signatory to the said BMF. . Objective One important objective, for eg could be to ensure access, use, and enjoyment of air travel facilities by passengers with disabilities on an equal basis with other passengers taking care of the specific needs of passengers with different categories of disabilities to the extent possible by applying the principle of "reasonable accommodation" . Non-negotiable principles Some of the non-negotiable principle could be as follows: a) Freedom of choice / right to self - determination in favour of passengers with disabilities. b) Equality c) Dignity d) Recognition of diversity in disability and the resultant varying specific needs of passengers with different categories of disabilities. e) Recognition of the fact that one's disability is not inability f) It should be clearly stated that positive discrimination made in favour of passengers with disabilities made through application and adoption of the principle of reasonable accommodation shall not be construed as violative of the principle of equality 3. PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PASSENGERS 3.1 DEFINITION a.. The term Physically Challenged Passengers should be replaced by the term Persons with disabilities so that it is compatible with the Persons with disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protections of Rights, and Full Participation) Act, 1995. Please drop the term incapacitated from the guidelines for obvious reasons. Persons with Disabilities should not be clubbed together with Medical Passengers (unfairly referred to as "invalid" passengers). No human being is invalid, or for that matter every individual is perfectly viable by reason of him being a human being. Please do not equate disability with medical illness. Separates provision may be incorporated in case of in respect of passengers with medical illness. a.. Instead of use of such terms as, "incapacitated" and "invalid" passengers, a broader and better term such as "Passengers in Need of Specific Care" may be used so that it serves the twin purposes of covering IATA codes (which will enable the concerned airline staff to ascertain her/his specific need) and also of being fair to passengers with disabilities. b.. Since individuals with disabilities are also fundamentally and essentially normal, any reference to non - disabled passengers as "normal" sends the message as though persons with disabilities are abnormal. 3.2 CODES . It should be made abundantly clear that the responsibility of informing the Airport of passenger code status is only solely on the airline. 3.4 TRANSIT STATION . This provision should be totally scraped, and should be replaced by a positive provision which will permit transit passengers with disabilities the use of shuttle / VIP lounges. Anyone with a sane and sensible head over his shoulders must appreciate the utter unfairness inherent detaining passengers with disabilities on board against their wishes while other passengers are allowed to disembark. Such detention on board, to our way of thinking, is tantamount to wrongful confinement. Thus the provision should be governed by the principle of freedom of choice in favour of passengers with disabilities. 3.5 WHEEL CHAIRS . Passengers check in wheel chair, as registered baggage should never be charged extra for doing so. . Self-maneuverable wheelchairs should be provided to WCHR / WCHS passengers who can maneuver themselves together with the support services of the concerned ground staff. 3.6 SEATING The needs of passengers with different categories of disabilities cannot be clubbed together. It is totally unnecessary and unfair to restrict the seating of such passengers near the toilet or even near the cabin attendant. In case of passengers who's condition specifically require sitting close to the toilet, they may be accommodated accordingly on request. Here also, provision relating to allotment of seats should be governed by the principle of freedom of choice in favour of passengers with disabilities. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS Surprisingly the guidelines are completely silent about certain important areas, such as, issuance of concessional tickets etc. hence, some additional provisions should be made in the guidelines. Following are some examples: a) In the 1st place, strangely, all the airlines do not follow a uniform policy on concessional tickets. Example, while Indian Airlines allows discounted tickets to Blind passengers and passengers with locomotor disabilities having 80% and above disability; whereas, the other airliners allows discounted tickets only to blind passengers and not passengers with locomotor disabilities. Secondly, what we generally understand as concessional tickets are in fact discounted tickets only, and their exists a fixed quota for such discounted tickets. This explains why a passenger with disability may not get a confirm ticket even if he does the booking well in advance but the same passenger does get a confirm ticket on payment of full fare. This defeats the very purpose of concessions. Justice demands that passengers with disability should get a confirmed concessional ticket till the last available seat exists. b) Safety instruction cards / other audio/ Braille reading material should be made available to the blind passenger to the extent possible. c) There should a provision of constant feedback/ information for passenger in waiting relating to the status of her his flights and other relevant details. Appropriate communication equipment, such as walky-talkie, pager, etc which will enable such passenger to establish contact with the ground staff should be made available to such passengers to period necessary. This will relieve such a passenger for the anxiety and agony he under goes. d) It should be made mandatory for the escorting ground staff to proactively reveal his identity/ name to the passengers with disability. e) In the event where night hold is necessitated because of delays in flights, suitable accommodation should be arranged for passengers with disabilities together with arrangement for dropping him, and picking him up from the hotel. 1. Prasanna Kumar Pincha Regional Manager Actionaid India (Guwahati) 2B - Mandavi Apartments, Ambari Opp. Ravindra Bhawan, GN Bordoloi Road, Guwahati - 781 001 Tel: 0361 - 2638871 / 72 Mobile: 94351 48697 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nature of Disability: BLIND 2. Arman Ali Project Coordinator Disability Law Unit - North East SHISHU SAROTHI Ram Krishna Mission Road Birubari Guwahati - 7810 16 Tel: 0361 - 2478912 Mobile: 98640 58252 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nature of Disability: Locomotor Dr. Rakesh Jain Mobile (Reliance): 09336787900 Mobile (BSNL): 09415787900 Residence: 05224001112 and 05222732345 Skype ID: dr.rjain To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
