United Airlines has taken a significant step towards enhancing accessibility for visually impaired travelers by introducing braille signage inside its aircraft cabins. With this move, United became the first U.S. airline to offer braille markings for seat rows, numbers, and even inside and outside the toilets. The initial phase includes twelve aircraft, and the airline aims to extend this feature to every plane in its fleet by 2026.
The decision to incorporate braille signage is part of United Airlines' broader strategy to make air travel more inclusive and accessible for passengers with disabilities. Based on the data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 27 mn people with disabilities traveled by air in 2019, underlining the importance of such initiatives.
Linda Jojo, the Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for United Airlines, expressed her enthusiasm for the project.
"By adding more tactile signage throughout our interiors, we're making the flying experience more inclusive and accessible, and that's good for everyone," Jojo stated.
This new accessibility upgrade is not the only measure United Airlines has taken to cater to passengers with disabilities. The airline has been consistently recognized for its commitment to inclusivity, being voted as the Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion for eight consecutive years. Moreover, the United Airlines booking app underwent recent updates to enhance accessibility for visually impaired individuals. These improvements included providing more space around graphics, increasing color contrast, and improving compatibility with screen reader technologies. Additionally, the airline's in-flight entertainment already offers audio-described movies and closed captioning to accommodate visually impaired travelers.
Challenges at every step of the journey
The challenges faced by visually impaired travelers during air travel have been well-documented. A 2019 European survey by EBU (European Blind Union) highlighted numerous issues faced by visually impaired customers at every stage of the flying process. Booking websites and mobile apps often lack accessibility features, making it difficult for visually impaired individuals to find and book flights independently. At airports, locating help desks can be a challenge, and they are sometimes understaffed. Furthermore, visually impaired passengers are frequently required to be escorted via wheelchair, regardless of whether their disability is mobility-related or not.
While many airlines have disability policies in place to make the flying process smoother for impaired travelers, the survey findings suggest discrepancies between the stated offerings and the actual experiences of passengers with disabilities.
In light of these challenges, United Airlines' move to introduce braille signage inside their cabins is a commendable step forward in the industry's journey toward greater accessibility and inclusivity. The airline's commitment to improving the flying experience for passengers with disabilities sets a positive example for other carriers to follow suit.
For visually impaired travelers, planning a trip may still present some unique considerations. Seeking guidance and utilizing tips for traveling with a disability can be helpful in ensuring a more seamless and enjoyable journey. As United Airlines continues to invest in accessibility measures, the skies are bound to become friendlier and more accommodating for all passengers, regardless of their abilities.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Threads pages to keep up to date on world news.
Comments (0)