scope:

FOREWORD

Persons with disabilities 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, needs to recognise and accommodate this growing passenger segment. Persons with disabilities have the same international rights as other citizens, such as accessibility, and 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 should 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, and this trend requires renewed attention at an international level.

In keeping with the general obligations of States under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to promote universal design, to provide accessible information, and to promote the training of professionals and staff working with persons with disabilities (article 4, paragraph 1, f, h, and i), this manual provides general guidance on services and features needed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in air transportation. The guidance material in this manual was created by the Facilitation Panel's Working Group on Persons with Disabilities for the purpose of elaborating on the relevant Standards and Recommended Practices in Annex 9 - Facilitation and assisting the civil aviation community in their implementation.

This manual should be read in conjunction with other key documents in this field, which provide more detailed guidance, and the legal frameworks which apply to various jurisdictions.