The Sky Should Be the Limit, Not Disability: Why We Must Demand Change in Air Travel
In the 1990s, I worked with Mary Wilkinson, the editor of Disability Now, and Ann Frye, the Head of the Inclusion Unit at the Department of Transport, to advocate for improved compensation for disabled individuals whose wheelchairs were damaged by airlines. This campaign, Flight Rights, aimed to address the inadequate compensation for the damage caused to wheelchair users' equipment. Almost thirty years later, Channel 4, a UK TV station, aired a compelling documentary hosted by Sophie Morgan that deeply moved and concerned me. Fight to Fly sheds light on the often degrading and dehumanising experiences faced by disabled individuals, particularly those with severe disabilities, when attempting to fly. This eye-opening exposé highlighted the crucial " Rights on Flights " campaign, which aims to revolutionise air travel for disabled passengers. As someone who believes in the dignity and equality of all individuals and has more than a passing interest in the subject...