To BCA SA, Beyond Blindness, Insight SA, DeafBlind SA & others
I distribute this as it is exciting & shows that tenacity pays off.
After a number of issues which were seen as discriminatory or non DDA
compliant Ross Sands & I undertook in 2013 a comprehensive critique of
Adelaide Airport from a disability perspective & a 40 odd detailed report
was written.
We met with Airline management representatives but little occurred. We
liaised with various politicians to enlist assistance.
The breakthrough occurred when we enlisted the assistance of MP Rebekha
Sharkie who Liaised with the Federal Minister responsible for Aviation. This
led to correspondence that all airports must be compliant with the
disability discrimination act. From here Ross & I met with Adelaide Airport
management & we went through our 2013 detailed report page by page. It was
agreed that the short falls would be addressed.
During this 2012 to 2018 time frame a number of incidents occurred where we
were inconvenienced by lack of guide dog toilet facilities, gate changes but
inaudible public address messages & inability to locate facilities due to
poor signage & other matters, & I met with various representatives including
Virgin Customer service manager in 2015. One positive change was a one stop
shop number for flight bookings with Virgin when you have a guide dog.
Priority Assist 1300 139 303 or 07 3295 3941.
We have continued our communications with Airport management regularly by
email due to SA Health restrictions. Ross & I were to have a specific guided
tour & on site discussions as to changes, but Covid associated complexities
prevented this.
The recent update from Airport management arrived yesterday & I enclose to
keep you informed & to demonstrate that change can be brought about although
sometimes it takes a lot of work over time & in this case since 2012.
Here is the report from the manager we work with.
We continue to review our access and inclusion program and prioritise our
DDA rectification works.
We have made a number of the changes noted within your report within
different areas of Terminal 1, including:
- Floor numbers on lifts - contrasted colours
- Reduction in use of A frames to remove obstructions
- 2 x dedicated accessible drop off areas which include directional
TGSI's, meet and phones and cover from environment
- Ramps at all drop off areas and TGSI's
- Customer Services officers available to assist customers at all
times
- 2 x airside animal assistance relief area toilets and 1 x landside
animal assistance relief area toilet
- Upgraded DDA compliant toilets
- 3 x Changing Place and Adult changing facilities
- QF and VA Airline lounge upgrades
- Special Assistance lane with direct access to security
- Additional accessible seating with visible seat branding
- Visual indicators on glazing and contrast strips applied to
numerous locations
Projects to be implemented:
- Existing Terminal and Wayfinding signage improvement project
- Public Announcement system upgrade
- Further completion of contrast strips applied to numerous locations
- Gate Lounge improvement project
We appreciate your ongoing feedback and look forward to be able to provide
you with a tour soon to show you the changes that have been made or are in
our pipeline of works.
Ross & I are very pleased to see that we have worked hard to bring about
changes that all people with disabilities can benefit from especially those
with sensory loss.
Dr David Squirrell Retired Medical Consultant
* Blind Citizens Australia (Adelaide Branch) President
* BCA National Policy Committee
* DeafBlind Australia National Board Vice President
* SAAS Community & Consumer Advisory Committee - Disability Rep
* SAAS Clinical Governance Committee - Community Rep
* Adelaide City Council Access & Social Inclusion Committee -
Disability Rep
* Electoral Disability Advisory Committee - Disability rep
* Marion Council environment & footpath risk assessment (Hallett Cove
region)
* Disaster Resilience Committee - Disability rep
* SA Government On Line Web Access committee
* Paul Harris Fellow & Member Paul Harris Society
* 2019 Blind Aust of the Year Award finalist
* 2020 Australian of the year award finalist
