Accessibility at the airport



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Flying With Disability

Accessibility at the airport is like that of many public buildings around the world. Only in the last two decades has wheelchair accessibility became a genuine consideration for the architects of modern airports.

Since different countries have differing regulations regarding the accessibility of public buildings, so their accessibility to the disabled traveller varies.

In the US, following the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the implementation of these regulations, so all airports must be made accessible to disabled travellers. Likewise, all refurbishments must comply with similar regulations.

Following these changes airports should provide the following services for disabled travellers:

Ease of access to parking near the terminal.
Ease of access to medical aid facilities and travellers aid stations.
Accessible restrooms.
Accessible drinking fountains.
Accessible ticketing systems at primary fare collection areas.
Amplified telephones and text telephones (TTs) for use by persons with hearing and speech impairments (there must be at least one TT in each terminal in a clearly marked accessible location).
Accessible baggage check-in and retrieval areas.
Jet ways and mobile lounges that are accessible (at airports that have such facilities).
Level entry boarding ramps, lifts or other means of assisting an individual with a disability on and off an aircraft.
Information systems using visual words, letters or symbols with lighting and colour coding, and systems for providing information orally.
Signs indicating the location of specific facilities and services.

Within the airport itself, disabled travellers should have ease of access between check-in counters, security check points and boarding terminals. This is usually accommodated through lift and ramp access.