Easyjet make air travel easier for the deaf and hard of hearing

Easyjet is the first low cost airline in the world to address the importance of lip reading for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

We are all familiar with safety demonstration and on-board announcement by cabin crew. But some of us miss out on essential communication because of deafness.

The inability to understand what is being said can lead to frustration and isolation. But missing out on vital information can be dangerous in an emergency. Lip reading is an essential communication tool for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Easyjet is the first low cost airline in the world to address the importance of lip reading for people who have hearing loss.

"easyJet aims to make flying as easy and  accessible for all of our passengers. To help us do that easyJet has a special assistance advisory group (ESAAG) which helps to provide guidance and advice to the airline,” a spokesperson for the airline said.

The easyJet Special Assistance Advisory Group (ESAAG) is chaired by David Blunkett MP and lists among its members leading experts and associations from across Europe.

"Following feedback from the group easyJet's crew training department will now incorporate information on how important it is for passengers to be able to lip read crew into our disability awareness training,” the spokesperson said. “The training team will emphasise the importance of facing the passengers when making announcements from the front of the cabin."

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