Jennifer B.’s Post

New European Disability Card Approved by European Parliament The European Disability Card, which has been passed in the European Parliament, will allow for special access to public transport and other facilities for people with disabilities. The card will act as a proof of disability status across all EU countries and will grant cardholders access to special conditions when using public transport, visiting cultural attractions, and more. It can ensure free entry or discounted fees, priority access, personal assistance and mobility aids to the cardholder. The cards will be issued by national authorities with individual Member States responsible for determining eligibility criteria and will be offered in physical and digital formats. It has been introduced in order to help facilitate equal access to free movement across the EU and as already been piloted in eight countries: Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Malta, Romania, and Slovenia. An improved version of the European Parking Card with a common format will also replace the current card, which is not always recognised due to present differences in formats across Member States. It can ensure access to an extended parking space, a reserved parking space, or reduced parking fees. Both cards will be issued or renewed free of charge, with the Parking Card requiring a small fee to cover administrative costs in some cases. #EuropeanDisabilityCard #Disability #Travel

Disability rights groups in Taiwan are calling for standard accessibility rules for air travel. They argue that clear guidelines are needed to ensure that all passengers, including those with disabilities, can access flights fairly. Currently, the support for passengers with disabilities varies significantly between airlines, leading to inconsistent help. The proposed rules would address key areas like wheelchair assistance, accessible seating, and staff training. Advocates say these changes are important for improving travel experiences and ensuring the safety and dignity of disabled passengers. This effort reflects a growing recognition of the need for inclusive policies that support the rights of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life, including air travel. For more information, please click this link: https://lnkd.in/eiuyKh_T Image Description: Background features a wheelchair user in an airport. Dark gray box with white text at the bottom reads “DISABILITY RIGHTS GROUPS DEMAND STANDARD ACCESSIBILITY RULES FOR AIR TRAVEL IN TAIWAN”. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #design #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #Blind #blindness #advocate #airports

Still waiting to meet this man in person…   If you’re in any way involved in the disability sector, you’ll probably know this man on the left: Isaac Harvey MBE.   We connected on LinkedIn last year and he first met my team at our stand at the Disability Expo in July 2023. Since then, we’ve been following each other’s content, sharing a few laughs while also exchanging valuable insights on improving travel accessibility for people with disabilities.   This month, my fantastic team member Ayo had the opportunity to meet him again in person at the Rise4Disability event in Kent, where Isaac was a panellist discussing the challenges of travel.   I told Ayo to say hi and let him know I’m pleased he isn’t wearing his dodgy T-shirt. 😅🧑🏿🦽   Jokes aside, beyond sharing my sense of humour, Isaac offered some brilliant insights on enhancing travel for disabled individuals.   One key point he made was about the communication gaps: there’s a significant lack of proactive engagement with disabled travellers, which leads to misunderstandings and unmet needs.   This is actually the number one reason many of my holiday guests with disabilities have had unpleasant and disappointing experiences with other adapted holiday providers in the past.   Every person and disability is unique, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s essential to talk to them, ask what they specifically need, and then focus on tailored solutions. For me, that’s the only way forward.   So, here’s me communicating clearly: Isaac, you’re absolutely welcome to visit us in sunny Lanzarote to soak up some vitamin D and work on your tan.   #Rise4Disability #accessibletravel #accessibility #disability #adaptedholidays #communication #Lanzarote

Air Canada has adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower 💜 programme to better serve customers with non-visible disabilities. It has also confirmed the first appointments to its new Customer Accessibility Advisory Committee, which will guide the airline as it accelerates its three-year accessibility plan.   Tom Stevens, Vice President, Customer Experience and Operations Strategy, Air Canada: “Air Canada is the first airline in North America to adopt the Sunflower programme, which will enable us to better assist and serve our customers with non-visible disabilities such as autism. Our customers make 1.3 million accessibility requests each year and this initiative further demonstrates our commitment to improve accessibility, which we are reinforcing through the creation of a Customer Accessibility Advisory Committee. Consisting of customers with disabilities from accessibility groups in Canada, the committee will contribute to heightened awareness and help us identify barriers and develop solutions.”   Read the full story >> https://lnkd.in/efNvqEVX #customerexperience #passengerexperience #accessibility

While many people often take hopping on a flight or catching public transport for granted, it's a starkly different reality for people with disability. Routine journeys can swiftly escalate into daunting challenges, leaving individuals stranded or, worse, subjected to discrimination, something my colleagues at Life Without Barriers are sadly all too familiar with. Too often, the aviation industry has ignored accommodations and failed to meet the access needs of people with disability, causing distress and creating logistical nightmares. It's time for the aviation industry to address these barriers and push for a more inclusive future: https://lnkd.in/eSJHsg49 ID: A woman in a wheelchair at a tram stop. #AccessibilityMatters #Inclusion #PublicTransport #DisabilityRights #AirlineTravel Emma Bennison MBA GAICD Emily Reaper

🌍 Did you know? We’re not just advocates. At disability aviation and Maritime, we don’t just talk about making the world more accessible—we live it every single day. As a global disability consultancy, we work tirelessly alongside airlines, airports, and the maritime industry to drive meaningful, lasting change for people with disabilities. 💼 Here’s what sets us apart: • We’re not just posting—we’re in the trenches, partnering with organizations to transform the way they serve individuals with disabilities. • We collaborate with hundreds of individuals and industry leaders every month to push forward accessibility initiatives. • Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, we’re always here to make progress happen. 🌟 Our reputation is growing because we deliver. From meeting weekly with airlines to influencing global industry standards, we are the only consultancy doing this work at this scale, day in and day out. If you’re ready to learn more or join us on this journey, give us a call today at 020 8064 1807. Together, we can build a world that works for everyone. #AccessibilityMatters #IndustryChange #DisabilityInclusion #GlobalImpact

Nikki Hauser reports on Nashville International Airport - BNA: BNA is joining a worldwide movement to help people with "hidden #disabilities" better navigate the airport. The airport will be part of the Sunflower Program. It means if you have #autism or another "invisible" disability, you can now get a lanyard that discreetly signals to airport employees that you may need more time, patience, or assistance. It's a program that's at over 240 airports across the world, according to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower 💜 website. BNA say it's all meant to make sure everyone is able to have a smooth travel experience. "We are daily navigating a world that wasn't designed for us, so having this lanyard helps to create more inclusivity in spaces like this," said Casey Davis, an #autistic advocate in #Nashville. She explains the airport can get overstimulating and overwhelming for many with a "hidden disability," so this is a subtle, easy way staff can make the whole process less stressful. "More of the airport staff will just be, hopefully, trained on...generally neurodiversity, the experience of #neurodivergent people, [and] the impact travel can have on neurodivergent people and other #disabilities," she said. Lanyards will be available at the Information Center desk at BNA. It's yours to keep and you don't have to disclose your disability to get one. #DisabilitySupport #InvisibleDisabilities

We recently celebrated World Humanitarian Day! On this day, Pedesting stands united for disability respect and rights. Think about the barriers that limit mobility—like stairs with no ramps. Imagine the stereotypes and prejudices that prevent participation—such as assuming someone with a disability cannot perform a job as well as someone without a disability. Consider how inaccessible websites and lack of sign language interpreters block access to information. At Pedesting, we believe in empowering people with disabilities by providing an accessible navigation solution. Whether it's finding accessible entrances, locating amenities, or navigating public transportation, Pedesting is your reliable guide. For many, accessible washrooms are not just about convenience; it's about dignity. Lack of such facilities can strip away a person's sense of independence and respect. On this World Humanitarian Day, let's advocate for disability rights. Support accessibility initiatives in your community and be a voice for inclusion. If you have a space that you want to make accessible, reach out to us. Together, we can make a difference. Download the Pedesting app to explore more accessible places in Calgary downtown. Repost this for sharing the message! #WorldHumanitarianDay #AccessibleCalgary #DisabilityRespect Repost this for sharing the message!

As I write this post, I am flying from Denver to Virginia. The ease with which I got through security and to my gate, boarded the plane and located my seat underscore in my mind the need to make air travel for people with disabilities equally seamless. The time to make air travel more accessible is long overdue. Easterseals has asked several major airlines to sit down with us and work together to find solutions to many of the challenges people with disabilities experience when they try to travel by air. We believe by helping them better understand the issues, together, we can work to address them - our hope is not aspirational. We know this is possible. #Accessibilty #Airtravelaccessibility #Easterseals #advocateforchange #unitedairlines #deltaairlines #americanairlines https://lnkd.in/etexhhBe