Talking with people with disabilities and their carers about travel and holidays, I discovered how crucial is the planning phase.

Information gathering is the central part of preparations; which services are available to PRMs and where is a critical piece of information.

Most people I spoke with complained about accessibility of information, lamenting that it is difficult to find websites where info is easily accessible,

With this in mind, we started reviewing airport websites. We started with London Heathrow, the largest in the UK. Further to publishing our findings BAA, the owner of Heathrow, promised to take our suggestions in due consideration and make changes were appropriate.

Belfast International Airport was our second airport website to be reviewed. They passed our evaluation with flying colors. 

Earlier today we published our review of Bristol Airport website. Within hours, the airport managing company took the first steps to improve the quality of their products, by adding some useful links.

At this stage, it doesn’t matter if one of the links is broken and another links to a website that gives advises to U.S. citizens based on the U.S. legislation. What matters is that people realize that it is in everyone’s best interest, ultimately in the best interest of passengers with disabilities to obtain critical information in an easily accessible manner.

Pointing out failures is just the first step. Within the coming day we are to publish the Airport Website Gold Standard, or simply put how should the airport page dedicated to passengers with reduced mobility be structured and which information it should contain.

We are certain airport companies are and will be listening. Do you want proof?

Bristol Airport Website BEFORE our article (opens popup window)

Bristol Airport Webiste AFTER our article (opens popup window)