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The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), has published "Access to air travel; Guidance for disabled and less mobile passengers". This guide follows a step by step journey through planning your flight, to getting to the airport, boarding and leaving the plane.
It can be downloaded from our website (www.dptac.gov.uk/pubs/aviation/access/index.htm) or by post from the DPTAC Secretariat. A summary of the main points to consider is also available as a small leaflet.
It follows a step by step journey through planning your flight to getting to the airport, boarding and leaving the plane. It explains why airports and airlines need information about disabled passengers and also what you can expect them to provide to make your journey easier.
The DPTAC guide has been produced to complement the Department for Transport (DfT) "Access to Air Travel for Disabled People - Code of Practice". The Code was developed with disabled people and all the organisations involved in a journey by air.
The Code sets out the standards that are expected of companies and good practice necessary to make sure disabled and less mobile passengers enjoy trouble free journeys by air. However, it will take a little while for these standards to be achieved everywhere.
At present, it is a voluntary code for UK companies only, but it is hoped that it will be adopted by international airlines operating into UK airports and at international airports. The Code will be monitored by the industry, disability organisations and the government. If necessary, it will become part of UK law.
It is important to remember that not all services and facilities will be available straight away at every airport and on every plane. If you need a particular service or facility, always check that it is available before booking.
Air travel in the European Community
European legislation now offers new protection for disabled air travellers. It means that since 26 July 2007 no person may be refused carriage on a commercial flight starting or finishing within the European Community on the basis of their disability or reduced mobility, subject to legitimate considerations of air safety. Further measures will come into effect in July 2008. The DfT has produced a fact sheet EC (Regulation 1107/2006: Factsheet for passengers) to explain the new measures www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/consulcivilaviationreg07/newrightfactsheetec.
The Air Transport Users Council produces "Flight Plan" a leaflet giving useful information for people who have not flown before. More information about the Air Transport Users Council can be found at: www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=306.
The Disabled Living Foundation produces "Flying High" a booklet with information for disabled people about flying - www.dlf.org.uk.
The British Lung Foundation publish "Air Travel with a Lung Condition" and "Going on Holiday with a Lung Condition" - both can be found at: www.lunguk.org.
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