Govt issues draft accessibility rules for disabled flyers

NEW DELHI: Days after actor Sudhaa Chandran shared her ordeal at an airport - where she was asked to remove her prosthetic limb at the security check without any privacy - and appealed for PM Narendra Modi's intervention, the Union aviation ministry on Tuesday issued "draft accessibility standards and guidelines for persons with disabilities", laying out dos and don'ts for both airlines and airport operators.
The ministry has invited suggestions and comments on the draft norms within three weeks. The final guidelines would be issued after taking into account suggestions from public, as envisaged in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017.
Accordingly, airports may soon have dedicated parking lots, close to terminal buildings, for people with disabilities (PwD). Pick-up and drop zones for people with disabelities would also be earmarked at city-side kerbs, with kerbs or ramps at level changes. Airports must have check-in counters accessible by wheelchair, where priority would be given to those with reduced mobility. Airports would also require to have accessible toilets.
Security check areas will have a lane each for males and females with disabilities. The advisory includes how to sensitively screen passengers with prosthetics. Such passengers would inform airlines beforehand and pass through door frame metal detectors. They would then "be taken to a private screening point and made to sit comfortably... will receive additional screening, including pat down. If necessary, screening through explosive trace detector would be adopted. While dealing with prosthetic device and during taking off and putting clothes, privacy of passengers must be maintained," it says.
Two officers will carry out screening - one with hand-held metal detector and pat down and the other to inspect the prosthetics, braces and subject them to additional screening. Baggage claim areas must also have an earmarked space for disabled.
The draft norms cover all aspects of air travel - right from coming to an airport to catch a flight, to leaving the destination airport. It also provides for a service animal, pet relief area. The draft advises people with disability to inform airlines 48 hours before scheduled departure time, so that the latter can serve them better.