THE Disability Discrimination Commissioner has expressed general support for the federal government's proposed reforms to enhance the aviation industry but cautioned that the changes may fall short of fully addressing the discrimination and undignified treatment faced by people with disabilities, reports The Australian Human Rights Commission.
The 'Aviation White Paper: Towards 2050,' released this week, outlines 56 long-term initiatives to improve the industry's safety, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability, with 11 initiatives focused on disability access.
Among the proposed changes, the government plans to introduce new aviation-specific minimum standards under the Disability Discrimination Act, ensuring that services are accessible to people with disabilities.
These standards will clarify the responsibilities of both airports and airlines throughout a passenger's entire journey.
'The Aviation White Paper is a good start to reforming an industry which has for generations discriminated against people with disability. It is a long-awaited recognition that we are a cohort of people who fly for many reasons, including for business and pleasure, and that we are not always treated with dignity when we do,' said Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess.
'From the design of aircrafts, to airline carriers, airport operators, and airline and airport staff, the current system discriminates against people with disability. Reform is a necessity, and I am pleased to see disability access as a priority area in the White Paper.'
'The aviation sector needs a strong regulatory framework. To ensure accountability, the White Paper initiatives need to happen alongside a strengthening of the Disability Discrimination Act by placing a Positive Duty obligation on the industry to take proactive and meaningful steps to prevent unlawful discrimination from occurring in the first place,' said Mr Kayess.
'I hope the White Paper's initiatives lead to major change. However, if they are insufficient, a national inquiry, led by the Australian Human Rights Commission, will be the only way forward to remedy the failures in this sector for people with disability. I look forward to working with government and the industry to ensuring the voices of people with disability are heard and their rights are respected throughout their flying experience.'
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The 'Aviation White Paper: Towards 2050,' released this week, outlines 56 long-term initiatives to improve the industry's safety, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability, with 11 initiatives focused on disability access.
Among the proposed changes, the government plans to introduce new aviation-specific minimum standards under the Disability Discrimination Act, ensuring that services are accessible to people with disabilities.
These standards will clarify the responsibilities of both airports and airlines throughout a passenger's entire journey.
'The Aviation White Paper is a good start to reforming an industry which has for generations discriminated against people with disability. It is a long-awaited recognition that we are a cohort of people who fly for many reasons, including for business and pleasure, and that we are not always treated with dignity when we do,' said Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess.
'From the design of aircrafts, to airline carriers, airport operators, and airline and airport staff, the current system discriminates against people with disability. Reform is a necessity, and I am pleased to see disability access as a priority area in the White Paper.'
'The aviation sector needs a strong regulatory framework. To ensure accountability, the White Paper initiatives need to happen alongside a strengthening of the Disability Discrimination Act by placing a Positive Duty obligation on the industry to take proactive and meaningful steps to prevent unlawful discrimination from occurring in the first place,' said Mr Kayess.
'I hope the White Paper's initiatives lead to major change. However, if they are insufficient, a national inquiry, led by the Australian Human Rights Commission, will be the only way forward to remedy the failures in this sector for people with disability. I look forward to working with government and the industry to ensuring the voices of people with disability are heard and their rights are respected throughout their flying experience.'
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