As a disabled person I shouldnt have to wear a nappy if I want to travel by plane

Samantha RenkeActress and disability campaignerTuesday 11 Dec 2018 1:27 pm

Flying with disability Flying airplane travel disability chair access Credit: (Picture: Dave Anderson/ Metro.co.uk) — They assured me that Id be given an online wheelchair, but the snag was that the toilet was still too narrow and the chair would only go as far as the toilet door. (Picture: Dave Anderson/ Metro.co.uk)

We will just have to put a nappy on you!

This is what my mum said to me when we realised my dream of flying to Australia wasnt going to happen.

Travelling and using public transport when you have a disability can be an absolute nightmare; anything from fighting over a wheelchair space with a push chair on the bus, to being left on a train because no one has come with a ramp to help you off, or in some cases, being left humiliated because the accessible toilet is out of order.

It truly is shocking the amount of horror stories I hear from friends within the disabled community when trying to travel as independently as possible; something most people take for granted on a daily basis.

Nevertheless, out of these horror stories has come some good and I have seen a willingness – though altogether painfully slow and far from perfect – from transport service providers to improve customer care and experience travelling when you have a disability.

With many train lines and even companies such as Uber working with charities like Transport For All to help improve its services and ultimately become more inclusive. We have also seen the introduction of assistant apps such as Passenger Assist, designed to make booking assistance less time-consuming and practical.

There is however one mode of transport that seems to be lacking in providing for the disabled market – and that is air travel.

One of the safest and most efficient form of travel is failing disabled people on an epic scale.

More than half (57%) of passengers with a disability say they find flying and using airports difficult, according to a survey by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Flying really can be a headache from start to finish – from having to take measurements of your wheelchair and arranging assistance before you fly, to not being able to take your own wheelchair onto the aircraft and then have the fear of your chair being damaged or even lost.

Just to clarify, wheelchairs can cost between £3,000 and £11,000 on average.

Then there is the humiliating moment of being left on the plane with the cleaners because your assistance has not been arranged.

Ive flown hundreds of times, however Ive always been accompanied by family or friends who can shoulder some of the responsibility and make flying a little less stressful. I only truly found out exactly how inaccessible flying can be when I decided to visit a friend on her gap year in Australia.

Like any person with a disability, I planned my journey down to the minute detail.

To my surprise, Air Qantas seemed to have previsions for those travelling with a disability; the airline even provides onboard wheelchairs and staff who are trained to assist passengers to the toilet.

I was beyond delighted – finally I could travel independently and see the world.

But, my excitement was short-lived.

It all seemed too good to be true, so I decided to contact the airline directly. They assured me that Id be given an online wheelchair, but the snag was that the toilet was still too narrow and the chair would only go as far as the toilet door.

On the matter of wheelchair use onboard its aircrafts, the Qantas website states: Onboard wheelchairs are available on most Qantas aircraft. These allow passengers to be escorted to and from the aircraft toilets. Qantas wide-bodied aircraft and some narrow-bodied aircraft have toilet facilities for customers with disabilities. Where you are not travelling with an escort or carer, cabin crew can assist you to and from the door of the aircraft toilet.

As someone who cannot walk, this meant my dream of going to Australia went out of the window.

By law you cannot fly on your own if you are deemed as not self-reliant. So what exactly does self-reliant mean in the eyes of the law?

You must travel with a companion if youre not self-reliant, e.g you need help with feeding, breathing, medication or using the toilet.

For someone who lives independently, travels independently on other modes of transport and can use the toilet by herself, this rule comes as a kick in the teeth.

Surely adding an accessible toilet where the onboard wheelchair could actually fit would solve many problems and allow someone like me to fly on my own?

I seriously contemplated wearing a nappy and Ive heard from others in similar situations to mine that they just dont inform the airport that they cant independently get to the bathroom – and so just cross their legs and hope for the best, I presume.

More: Travel

There are plans to improve air travel for disabled people with the implementation of a new charter for airlines, which will include better staff training and, further down the line, looking at ways to enable passengers to take their own wheelchairs on board.

This is a great milestone, yet I cant help but feel this isnt good enough.

Why can aircrafts introduce bars, reclining beds and even ottomans for entertaining and not yet have accessible toilets as standard on board?

Once again, money talks and the purple pound doesnt seem to have any value when it comes to airlines.

It saddens me that Im limited so enormously when it comes to flying.

I have three beautiful nieces who live in Ireland and the only way I can visit them is by taking a companion, or for my sister to fly into London to pick me up and fly back with me – and do it all again on my return journey.

Surely, with all the amazing and creative technology that already exists, we can create an aircraft fit for everyones needs?

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