Here is a round-up of the latest news in the world of accessible travel and disability, including a wheelchair user lost at an airport for nearly a week, travel nurses provided by Etihad Airways, UK airports warned for mistreating disabled passengers, a more accessible Gateway Arch and more.
Accessible travel news from around the web:
- Wheelchair user last seen at airport has been missing for 6 days — A 40-year-old Indian man was scheduled to fly on July 10. He was dropped off in an airport wheelchair at the departure gate, but never boarded his flight. Police reviewed the airport’s security footage, but he was not seen leaving the airport. How does a wheelchair user disappear into thin air, especially at a major international airport?
- Need a nurse to travel with you? Etihad Airways has it covered. — Fly with Etihad Airways and they’ll provide a registered nurse to look after you during your flight. PYOK says that “the new service will offer a fully trained nurse to provide medical support for passengers travelling with complex medical conditions – perhaps travelling overseas for medical treatment.”
- St. Louis Arch reopens with greater accessibility — The $380 million renovation to the iconic Gateway Arch has been completed, and the national park reopened to visitors this month. While the tram to the top of the arch is still not wheelchair accessible, many improvements have been made to the park and the museum facilities. Visiting the arch is a wonderful activity to add to your St. Louis itinerary, with fun for the entire family.
- 4 UK airports called out for “failing” disabled passengers — The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has put the Birmingham, London-Gatwick, London-Stansted and Manchester airports on notice, saying they have failed to meet the standards for serving passengers with disabilities. According to the CAA, “the impact on individuals is significant” when failures of service occur. Read more at the link in a report by the BBC.
- Check out this accessibility goof — Barricades meant to slow/stop bicyclists in UK parks and communities have had the unexpected result of blocking access for wheelchair users. Who comes up with this stuff?
Check back every couple of weeks for the latest roundup of accessible travel news. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter to stay in the know!
Feature image courtesy Wikimedia Commons/FASTILY.
