Gatwick Airport has released three new videos which have been developed to encourage people with disabilities to travel. The videos show the journey through the airport from the perspective of someone in a wheelchair and someone who is partially sighted.
The films are designed to inspire confidence by demonstrating the possibilities for independent or semi-independent travel. The films include a demonstration of how the airport’s special assistance service works and other initiatives to help make passengers’ journeys smoother.
Jack Bigglestone-Silk, accessibility manager, Gatwick Airport said, “We’ve been working hard to improve accessibility for all our passengers and these videos show, not only how far we’ve come, but how we are still continuing to work on improvements. We want to be the UK’s most accessible airport and it’s important that we continue to work with passengers, charity partners and other experts to make that ambition a reality.”
Sophie Bradbury-Cox, social media influencer, and Marc Powell, Paralympian and innovation strategist at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) both feature in the films.
Bradbury-Cox said, “It’s been fantastic to be able to show what it’s like for me, as a wheelchair user, to navigate around the airport. It can be an exciting and sometimes daunting experience, but at Gatwick, I was able to get the right help at the times I needed it.”
Powell added, “It’s great to work with Gatwick to highlight what it’s like for me to travel through a busy airport. Everyone’s different, but for me it’s important to retain a level of independence when traveling. I rely on accessing the infrastructure, and when I can’t, being able to get assistance when I need it is key.”
Gatwick also recently announced a new independent panel – made up of experts in the travel needs of disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility – to help shape Gatwick’s accessibility strategy and improve services for disabled passengers.
To view the combined video, see below:
https://www.facebook.com/GatwickAirport/videos/1396245450534570/?__tn__=-R