Abta to hold Accessible Travel Seminar

The event, on Thursday April 26 in London, will include sessions on training staff to be disability aware, having confidence to deal with access issues and making websites and booking systems more accessible.

Others will tackle how to manage experiences and expectations in a mixed ability group, legal issues and making environments, buildings and infrastructure more accessible.

Speakers include Eddie Redfern, aviation consultant and Tui Group’s former head of regulatory affairs; Robin Sheppard, chairman, Bespoke Hotels and the Bespoke Access Awards and Matt Gatenby, partner with solicitors Travlaw. Abta director of destinations and sustainability Nikki White will moderate the event.

Gatenby said that while progress had been made, there was still much to be done in tackling disability issues in travel. “The whole issue of accessibility and disability has always been there. I think the industry is honing its talent in terms of understanding, recognising and providing services for this sector of the market,” he said.

The issue came to prominence recently after complaints about Heathrow by BBC journalist Frank Gardner, who spent more than 90 minutes stranded on an aircraft when his wheelchair was lost.

“That was a good example of a lack of consistency,” said Gatenby.

“The trend is away from dealing with that kind of issue and more towards a proactive stance.

“That’s what this seminar is about. The ultimate aim is that it doesn’t matter what your circumstances are, you are going to get the same level of service.”

He added: “Things have come a long way in a short time, but there is still a long way to go and there is a fundamental desire to get there.”

Click here to find out more about Abta’s event, and book.