Assistance for the disabled in airports and airplanes. Letter to the President of ENAC

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Published by Dario Dongo on 23 August 2019

Letter to the President of ENAC

'Dear Sir,

I am writing to you as a 'frequent flyer' with reduced mobility, Charlie passenger in airport jargon, as well as a member of the Steering Committee of the Disability Pride Italia association.

Despite the formal application of the reg. CE 1107/06, and the progress made consequently also in Italy, the assistance of disabled passengers deserves further attention. Attention that I think it is useful to submit to you too, even if near the end of the mandate of ENAC President.

Assistance for the disabled in airports and airplanes. The requests

I mean, in particular, to the following requirements:

- guarantee the effective and timely delivery at the aircraft door of all equipment and baggage that are requested to be unloaded alongside. Too often it happens that the ramp attendants decide to let go on the ordinary baggage belts the essential aids for the autonomous movement of disabled passengers (eg wheelchairs and electric motors for their traction). Causing severe discomfort to passengers with reduced mobility, as well as frequent damage to delicate and expensive equipment;

- provide for priority disembarkation of passengers with reduced mobility who have short connections with other flights. Unfortunately, the standard procedure for boarding and disembarking passengers with mobility difficulties (FILO, 'First In, Last Out') often results in the loss of connecting flights by the latter. This constitutes a cause of unjust discrimination against those who should receive priority assistance, and are instead often forced to spend hours in airports, awaiting their 'rerouting'. With further difficulties related to physical conditions that involve above-average stress. In addition to requesting, in the event of long delays, assistance that the airport services cannot provide;

- equip the assistance rooms with 'chaise-longue' necessary to offer relief to passengers whose physical conditions require the ability to stretch out their legs, at least during stops waiting for flights (even more so in cases of long-duration flights or which in any case involve several routes) . The need to change position, compared to the seated one where one is forced during the flight, is increasingly necessary for those who cannot reach the upright position. They therefore need to be able to lie down, waiting to spend hours in a forced sitting position. For circulatory needs, but also to prevent cramps and other difficulties.

Thanking you in advance for your attention, I would like to extend your best regards.

cordiality'

Dario Dongo

Égalité - Disability Pride Italy

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