Autistic girl, 15, kicked off plane for making pilot 'uncomfortable'

For Dr. Donna Beegle and her 15-year-old autistic daughter Juliette to be kicked off a United Airlines flight to Portland because Juliette's autism seemingly made the pilot 'feel uncomfortable’, is simply preposterous.

And as if to add insult to injury, United Airlines added a fictitious reason of the safety and comfort of other passengers to it. Bearing in mind that though the United States, is yet to ratify the United Nation Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, it at least signed it on 30th July 2009.

 As such, there should be a semblance of civility, if not sensitivity and awareness on the rights of people with disability towards accessing air transport.

It is a rude fact that disability is the only society where one does not need an application form to join; persons with disabilities therefore make up a significant and growing percentage of the world’s population and constitute the world’s largest minority.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that this number is increasing through population growth, medical advances and the ageing process.  Aviation, like all other transport modes, must therefore be on the forefront to recognise and accommodate this growing passenger segment.  Persons with disabilities have the same international rights as other citizens, such as accessibility, full and effective participation and inclusion in society, including freedom of movement and freedom of choice (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, articles 3.c and 3.f). Persons with disabilities must therefore have equivalent access to air travel.

These international rights apply to air travel as to all areas of life. There have been many changes in the provision of accessible facilities and services to persons with disabilities in air transportation worldwide, why it is yet to take effect in a super power like the USA, it simply means this trend requires renewed attention at an international level. In keeping with the general obligations, States under of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, must be held accountable towards promoting universal designs, providing accessible information, and promoting the training of professionals and staff working with persons with disabilities (article 4, paragraph 1, f, h, and i).

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Regulatory authorities such as the FAA are duty bound under both the State Safety and Security Oversight Programs -Critical Element 8 to provide guidance, regulations and standards on services and features needed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in the US air transport arena, and ensure the likes of United Airlines adhere to those requirements to the letter and without fail.

Training for all staff in the chain of the air travel service delivery is vital for providing quality service to persons with disabilities in a consistent and respectful manner. It is essential that staff know their responsibilities, and are able to perform them. Training particularly to pilots must address the attitudinal, environmental/physical and organizational barriers that affect persons with disabilities in air transportation as well as prepare staff to provide assistance to persons with disabilities in a manner that respects their dignity, and as a professional service to which the person is entitled, rather than as a favour or compassionate gesture.

ICAO on the other hand must begin enforcing the Standards enshrined under Annex 9 to the Chicago Convention, as well as begin assisting the civil aviation community in their implementation. It beats reason to have released Doc 9984 on Access to Air Transport by People With Disabilities since 2013, yet none of the Continuous Monitoring Assessments in both Safety and Security capture the needs to check for its implementation to the letter, hence the likes of United can act as they wish and with little if any remorse, let alone fear of repercussions from the FAA as their State Appropriate Authority. It is a shame that the 70 years of male domination at ICAO were never really disability friendly.

It’s about time some maternal instincts kicked in to invigorate the UN Specialized Agency for all matters aviation.....Over to you Madam (Dr). Fang Liu as you take over the reins from 1st August 2015. As for passenger Marilyn Hedlund, who seemingly supported the airline's decision, though well within your rights and freedom. Please take note that disability is a come one- come all- open to all society, human beings need not apply for admission into it, nor have a choice not to-Its automatic when decreed. There is a saying from my community that hoes like ' laugh not at a person with a disability, for human-beings cease not being tested (By their Maker)' Madam Marilyn.