Disability awareness and sensitivity workshop held at Dimapur Airport

July 18, 2023 15 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, JULY 18 (MExN): The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Nagaland, conducted a Disability Awareness & Sensitivity Workshop for Airport/Airlines staff and security personnel at Dimapur Airport on July 14.

The workshop was aimed at equipping all concerned with the knowledge necessary to understand the unique needs and challenges that people with disabilities may face when travelling, while also promoting empathy, inclusivity, and respectful attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.

Disability Commissioner Diethono Nakhro cited WHO data which states that 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 people, live with a disability. She said that more and more individuals with disabilities are now travelling for a variety of reasons, as tourists, for work, for leisure, and so on, adding that sensitisation trainings are crucial because a lot of problems are faced by both travellers with disabilities and personnel at various sections simply because of the lack of awareness and understanding of disability needs. When there is better understanding, the entire process will be so much smoother for everyone, she said.

The workshop included sensitisation on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, the different types of disabilities, handling of assistive devices and dos and don’ts of interacting with travellers with disabilities. Some existing issues at Dimapur Airport, like need for proper maintenance of accessible/priority washrooms as well as disability parking slots and disability drop off and pick up areas, were highlighted.

Representatives from the CISF, Indigo and Air India shared about the challenges they faced while dealing with passengers with disabilities.

Geetha Sahu, APD AAI, welcomed all the participants to the workshop and appreciated the step being taken to create more disability awareness and sensitivity which would help all staff provide better service and assistance to passengers with disabilities.

Paul P Chasie, CASO ASG Dimapur, while delivering the vote of thanks, stated that such disability sensitisation is much needed in order to ensure that passengers with disabilities have a positive experience while travelling, particularly in security screening procedures. He assured that the issues raised have been noted and expressed confidence that better awareness will enable all personnel and staff to provide the services and accommodations necessary to make travelling easier for passengers with disabilities.

The programme was chaired by YileHaikam of Indigo. President of the Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) Kevingunu Fatima Kera was also present at the workshop.