![]() However, knowing the dimensions of potential storage areas could help travelers plan ahead. ![]() Mobility devices are often tailored to their users, so there’s no standardized sizing. “It’s long past time we make flying easier and more accessible for the millions of Americans with disabilities who travel by air each year.” “As a frequent flyer whose wheelchair is regularly broken or damaged, I understand firsthand how deeply frustrating it is that our aviation system still fails to make sure every passenger with a disability is treated with dignity and respect,” Duckworth said in a statement. It would also put increased scrutiny on mobility device mishandling incidents and develop a roadmap to study the feasibility of accommodating disabled passengers and their mobility devices in the cabin. airports to publish the dimensions of the cargo holds on their planes. The Mobility Aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower All (MOBILE) Act would require all airlines operating through U.S. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and John Thune, R-S.D., introduced new legislation aiming to improve the conditions for disabled travelers in the U.S.Ĭruising Altitude: Behind the frosted glass doors of airline lounges, is it really worth it?Ĭruising Altitude: Why air rage on airplanes is every traveler's problem There’s no straightforward solution, but Sens. In Europe, the story of an Irish traveler being forced to crawl off a plane when his wheelchair assistance was delayed is garnering headlines. In the U.S., more than a thousand mobility devices are mishandled by airlines and airports every month. But when an Irish traveler was forced to crawl off a plane when his wheelchair assistance was delayed, it was hard for others to ignore, and the incident quickly garnered headlines. ![]() What travelers should know.įlying can often be a challenge for disabled travelers, with planes and facilities not always designed to accommodate them and the mobility devices they rely on. If someone is moving themselves on their behind, the smaller the change in height between elevations, decks or play surfaces, the better.Watch Video: Summer travel demand is high for 2023. Transfer steps allows someone who does not have use of their legs to be able to move their body between elevation changes on the play equipment and back to a mobility aid. This is especially important at slides.Īlso, think about having a deck with a transfer platform on one side and a set of steps on the other side to facilitate children of different abilities playing together. Examine how a child who is using a chair might transfer to the play equipment or feature that doesn’t have a platform, perhaps there is a surface or grip point that can help the child be included.ĭepending on the requirements of your community/ users, consider providing on-deck transfers that facilitate movement from a mobility aid onto the play activity. Transfer platforms allows a child or adult who is using a mobility aid to transfer to and from that aid independently and use the play space more easily.Ĭonsider all the surfaces adjacent to the accessible route and estimate the possibility of a user transferring to them from a chair. Our play space designers are very knowledgeable and will make sure to choose the appropriate surfacing based on your requirements, the play equipment specified, location, safety standards, etc.Īllowing users to easily transfer to and from the play equipment Transfer platforms Loose-fill, bumpy and textured surfaces are not always considered good for access but, because of their high play value to children of all abilities and preferences, their use should not be ruled out completely in the play area. Surfaces must meet the EN 1176 and EN 1177 standards they should also be suitable for the intended use, for example, access routes and paths need to be constructed from materials that remain useable throughout the year, falling spaces must have surfacing materials appropriate for the equipment, etc.ĭo keep in mind that the choice of surfacing in the overall design scheme is not only about access and safety but also about play values. This will help establish which surfacing works well where and why. If you are involved or want to be involved in selecting the surfacing yourself it’s a good idea to visit various play spaces with different surfacing and test out the surfaces, if possible, with children and adults with visual impairment and wheelchairs or mobility aids. Surfacing plays a major part in making your playground accessible, therefore, it’s important that the most appropriate and accessible surfacing is chosen for the design, location, play equipment and features of your playground.
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