British Airways and Disability Discrimination!!

Greta

Since I do not have full facts to hand no I will not advise anything (and anyone who has been exposed to law will know this).

However I would urge them to look into this further. E.g. BA told her to wait until showed up at the airport, and on this advice there was not seats available next to each other. Eating is a basic function, and no-one should be required to pay an additional fee for this (even to carry out independent living). Did BA really do everything in its power to address this? For example, other passengers around on the plane. Why couldn't they be moved?

I don't require additional legroom / such provisions when I fly, although I did end up in a road traffic accident in Rome in 2001 (I was thrown out of a cab), as a result I was off my feet for several months. BA were kind enough to put me in in the front row of business class on return.. I didn't request this, but I don't think they had a lot of choice (I had damaged both legs, could not walk / was not in a position to do anything but wriggle out of a wheelchair).

However, I find some comments on this thread lacking thought, e.g. expect the world to do me a favour. For those unfamiliar with disability stuff, perhaps this video might be of interest:
http://www.edf.fr/html/pubtv_2005/diversites/edf_en.html

Its not about a favour, its about how society has been constructed to exclude certain groups ... and the need to readdress this. Access, basic health and safety, and the right to function as a citizen.

I wonder if other posters would say the same if, e.g. an airline failed to deliver on a basic health and safety premise, which made the plane liable to crash. You are not obliged to fly on that plane, therefore couldn't it be argued that you are expecting too of the world / it owes you a favour when asking for minimum standards? (Planes that fall below this, I believe aren't allowed into British airspace).

Greta

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

I am amazed to see that you should suggest that the various types of dwarfism disorders are no more a disorder than a persons sexuality or skin tone??

On second thoughts, I'm not that suprised. :rolleyes:

Yep you've got it, but why amazed?

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

Would this be it?

"The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities"

Part. How that is interpreted is specific, including relevant case law. Go buy a book on the DDA if you're so interested. (What benefits etc people are getting or not, even if labelled as disability benefits, is totally irrelevant for the purposes of the DDA).

dmg24

The person was at no risk sitting in the seats that were originally assigned to them.

The person chose to sit apart from their carer, they could have stayed where they were.

I believe that everybody should have equal opportunities in accessing services, and in this situation, the person was given an equal opportunity.

Expectations above what the person was provided with are beyond statutory requirements.

Some people need to get real. In getting the passenger safely to their destination, BA provided the service that the person paid for. So why should anybody expect anything more?

boatman

Do we know which airport they went from? 747 and 777 go to Florida.

M4RKM

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

"The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities"

yes, i have an impairment that can have an adverse effect on my day-to-day life. Does that automatically qualify me for a free upgrade. On my 10 TATL flights i've taken in the past few years, i've never got a free upgrade. I have paid for a couple, and find that the prices for upgrade at airport very good.

M

P.S i'm red/green/brown colourblind - very rare, and classed as a disability!

Tojo_Ralph

markymoo wrote: »

yes, i have an impairment that can have an adverse effect on my day-to-day life. Does that automatically qualify me for a free upgrade.

Hell No

markymoo wrote: »

On my 10 TATL flights i've taken in the past few years, i've never got a free upgrade. I have paid for a couple, and find that the prices for upgrade at airport very good.

Usually good VFM and no doubt a non-changeable economy ticket with a paid upgrade at the airport costs less than a flexible economy ticket?

markymoo wrote: »

P.S i'm red/green/brown colourblind - very rare, and classed as a disability!

I don't care if you have an extra set of limbs, if there's an upgrade going, it should go to the frequent flyer who's loyal to the airline, racking up the mileage and no doubt doing it by paying twice as much for his economy flex seat as others are for their non-changeable economy seat.

MissSunshine

I used to fly regularly with British Airways and Emirates on my own with 2 young children and whilst I could request the Bulk Head seat when booking the flights so that my child under 2 could avail the use of the skycot, it was not guaranteed. At check in they were allocated on a first come first served basis.

I have sat beside people that didnt appear to have a need for the extra leg room, as I also have sat besides those that do, both families and disabled passengers.

I've never had to hold an infant for an entire flight as I was always fortunate to get a bulk head seat, but have seen others with young infants on the flight that weren't so lucky.

Although a pain the key point to passengers getting the bulk head seats was turning up early to check in.

Also 10% of the full economy airfare is charged for an infant even though they won't have a seat!!

OP your sister and BIL's issues are with the advise they were given, not the cabin crew on board the flight, so upon their return they need to write to BA Customer Services and highlight that they were not advised of the correct procedure with regard to bulk head seats.

M4RKM

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

I don't care if you have an extra set of limbs, if there's an upgrade going, it should go to the frequent flyer who's loyal to the airline, racking up the mileage and no doubt doing it by paying twice as much for his economy flex seat as others are for their non-changeable economy seat.

what if i have an extra set of limbs, am a platinum FF, but only bought a bog standard Y ticket?

ok.. thats taking it too far... i agree though. FF's should get the benefits, but it is extremley rare on a TATL flight to get OPUPs these days, hence most airlines leaving the bulkheads/exit rows as seating for their preferred members...

CFC

Greta wrote: »

Suffering from dwarfism? Suffer? Do people suffer from gayness, blackness etc. Something to think about, since the use of language has been the subject of this thread.

Celebrating dwarfism?
Enjoying dwarfism?
Dwarf and Proud?
Dwarf self-identity?
Living the Lie of Height?
Closet dwarf?
Dwarf who looks tall?

What an interesting world you live in, Greta. Tis a pity it's a world of one.
:rolleyes:

rose28454

Quick update. BA have not responded to my complaint ( no surprise there!!) but when my sis checked their booking before returning they were indeed allocated bulkhead seats as promised to me in my call on the day they flew out. My sis said they had plenty of room but unfortunately my bil's tv did not work so they swopped seats half way through. M y sister is going to follow up my complaint tommorow to see what they say. I feel sure this post will once again release all sorts of comments as before but who cares!!