Talk:Accessible Tourism

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[edit] Air Travel India - Know your Rights as a Disabled Passenger

[edit] 1. Basic Rights

Airlines can NOT: - Refuse to carry you or your mobility aids and devices, even if you are unescorted and/ or not holding a disability certificate. - Insist for presence of an escort, if you are able to declare independence in feeding, communication with reasonable accommodation, toileting and personal needs. - Insist on a medical clearance or special forms from you, unless they have a genuine reason to suspect that you may have a medical condition that requires attention. - Impose charges for wheelchairs and other assistive aids such as ambulifts, aisle chairs, low floor accessible busses, etc, unless you are not carrying a disability certificate. - Insist on any further enquiries regarding specific travel requirements, once the ticket has been confirmed. However, airlines MAY levy charges for: - Any human assistance rendered. - Stretchers and associated equipment (blankets, pillows, sheets, privacy curtains, etc.) - Assisting in baggage delivery and getting out of the destination airport, if requested.

[edit] 2. When Booking a Flight

Remember to: Inform the airlines, at the time of booking and/ or check-in for travel, any requirements - such as human assistance or assistive equipment (ambulift, onboard wheelchair, etc.)

[edit] 3. At the Airport

Remember to: - Carry your disability certificate, otherwise you may be charged for using the equipment (such as wheelchairs, ambulift, etc). You CAN: - Insist on airline to engage in interline transactions in order to commence / continue interline transportation.

[edit] 4. Checking In

Remember that You: - Have an equal choice of seat allocation, subject to safety requirements. - Can not be restricted to any particular cabin or seating areas, except when it is done to avoid interference with emergency evacuation.

The airline: - Shall provide accommodation for passengers with disabilities who may require extra leg space without any extra charge. - Upon request, may allow passengers to carry delicate assistive aids and devices as hand baggage.

[edit] 5. Transfers/Embarkation/Disembarkation

Remember that you: - Can insist on using your own wheelchair up to the aircraft. - Can, upon landing, choose to transfer from the aisle seat directly onto your own wheelchair; and can also request your checked-in assistive devices, wheelchairs, etc to be delivered close to the aircraft door. - If being offloaded (for any valid reasons), must receive the highest possible priority for transportation along with your escort.

[edit] 6. In-Flight

You CAN: - Request airlines to endeavor to provide a narrow onboard wheelchair to access lavatory facilities. - If required, expect cabin crew to individually apprise you of the cabin layout and essential safety information. - With prior intimation to the airline, carry your guide/ service dog in the aircraft cabin.

[edit] 7. Luggage/Assistive Equipment

You CAN: - Request the airlines to allow you to carry your delicate assistive aids and devices as hand baggage. - In case of loss or damage to mobility equipment or other assistive devices, claim and be provided suitable compensation from the airlines. The airlines MUST: - Ensure that the checked in baggage of persons with disabilities shall bear 'Priority Tags’.

[edit] Disclaimer:

[[Media: The advice in this document is based on full DGCA CAR document that can be read at http://dgca.nic.in/cars/D3M-M1.pdf. AccessAbility neither endorse the contents nor take any responsibility regarding the accuracy or effectiveness of the information provided herein.]]

--Shivani 03:18, 13 May 2008 (EDT)