New guidelines put in place by the Civil Aviation Authority in Britain are asking airports to provide improved services for people with “hidden disabilities.”
Hidden disabilities are classified as things like dementia, autism, mental health problems, hearing loss, visual impairment, and mobility issues, all of which can lead to an increase in anxiety during travel.
The new guidelines hope to introduce different routes within the airport that are away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds to make the experience of getting around “less stressful and disorientating.”
The also hope to make it easier for people with disabilities to locate restrooms and other locations they might have trouble finding. They also suggested the possibility of having them wear bracelets or some sort of device that would make them easily identifiable to airport staff.
Richard Moriarty, the director of the CAA’s market and consumer group, released a statement about the new guidelines.
“We are really pleased with the support UK airports and disability organizations have provided to help us develop these guidelines, however, this is just the start and over the next six months we expect airports to make changes and improvements to the services and assistance they provide passengers with hidden disabilities.”
