Report shows progress of UK airports in helping people with hidden disabilities

Dementia expert welcomes Civil Aviation Authority report outlining support for people with disabilities such as dementia, autism and hearing loss
Aeroplane fly transport

While we are proud of what we have achieved so far, we are all aware that there is more to do – support from the highest levels and the continued efforts of innovators in the lab, in clinic and in society will help us to tackle this pernicious disease.

Ian Sherriff BEMMr Ian Sherriff BEM
Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia

Progress made by UK airports to help passengers with hidden disabilities – such as dementia, autism and hearing loss – has been published in a new report today led by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). 

With support from Ian Sherriff, Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia at the University of Plymouth, and Chair of the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge Group for Air Transport, this follows the CAA issuing new guidance for airports in December 2016 on how to improve the assistance they offer.

Today’s update highlights the advances made and identifies areas where further work is needed. This comes against a background of record numbers of people with all types of disability flying.

The report is being launched today (12 June) at the British and Irish Airports EXPO at Olympia, London – where Mr Sherriff is a keynote speaker.

Developing services include:

  • giving passengers the option to wear a lanyard or wristband (or other discreet identifier) to help make staff aware that they might need extra help at the security search area or elsewhere in the airport,
  • providing enhanced disability awareness training packages for key customer facing staff, including those at security search areas, as well as those who provide direct assistance to disabled people,
  • introducing family or assistance security lanes, which passengers with hidden disabilities can use, which provide a less stressful and rushed experience,
  • publishing a wide range of accessible information for people with hidden disabilities, including pictorial guides, videos and other online guides on what to expect at the airport, especially at the security search stage,
  • consulting with disability organisations, including those representing people with hidden disabilities, on how the design of the assistance service can best meet the needs of this group of passengers.

However, further work needs to be done to ensure all UK airports continue to provide consistent and high quality assistance services to disabled people, including people with hidden disabilities, in line with guidance.

Mr Sherriff said: 

“As someone who is totally committed to helping society tackle the many challenges that people with dementia and their carers face daily, I am keen to see airports do as much as they can to make the airport and travelling experience as stress-free as possible. It’s great to see the progress being made by the CAA and airports around the country, and I hope these changes – and those that will be made going forward – make a real difference to all of those travelling with hidden disabilities.

“I and the rest of the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge Group for Air Transport want to make the UK an exemplar in air travel, so it’s great that the CAA are committed to continuous improvement.”

The CAA will continue to work with airports so that the enhancements and improvements that airports have made are genuinely helping people with hidden disabilities access air travel, as well as working with airports and disability groups to broaden airports’ focus in terms of the types of hidden disabilities that their assistance services caters for.

Matt Buffey, Head of Consumer Protection at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: 

“Today’s report highlights the significant achievements that airports have made in supporting disabled passengers, particularly those with hidden disabilities. Record numbers of passengers with disabilities are travelling through UK airports, and so it’s hugely important that the assistance meets their particular needs. 

“We know that people with hidden disabilities can find airports difficult and stressful places, in particular the security search, and we are pleased to see how well airports have responded in improving the assistance they offer and tailoring to the needs of people with hidden disabilities. The UK Civil Aviation Authority is committed to being a champion for consumers with disabilities and we will continue to work with the aviation industry to further enhance the facilities they provide.”

Commenting on the report, Aviation Minister, Baroness Sugg, said:

“Travelling by air can be a daunting experience for those with hidden disabilities. Whilst there is still more to do, we should recognise the real progress that has been made by airports since the CAA introduced requirements for specific assistance services for people with non-visible disabilities. Through the government’s Aviation Strategy we will continue to work with the CAA and industry to improve the flying experience for all passengers.”

One in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia. In England in 2012, 670,000 people have dementia. This number will double in the next 30 years. Among the over-55s, dementia is feared more than any other illness and at an estimated 23 billion pounds a year, the cost to our economy is huge. It is estimated that this is higher than the costs of cancer, heart disease or stroke.

Our research focuses on community attitudes and behaviour change towards individuals with dementia and their carers, inequalities and differences between urban and rural dementia-friendly communities, and the impact of interventions on the wellbeing of individuals with dementia and their carers.