Ok, tweeps settle back for a long thread. The airline industry, including airports, has thumbed their noses at the Disability Discrimination Act and the Transport Standards for 20 years. I’ve had enough, and my inner loose unit is out of the box.

Ms Ros Croucher, President Australian Human Rights Commission I wish to lodge a complaint under the DDA and the Disability Transport Standards. It is lodged against the Federal Dept of Transport, Virgin Airlines, Adelaide Airport and the company which provides security clearance services at that airport. On 13 May 2022, I sought to clear security around 4 PM to catch my Virgin flight to where I live near Gold Coast Airport. My colleague G was with me and observed what took place.

I am publishing this on Twitter because it is now in the public domain, so it will be much harder and less relevant to settle through a confidentiality clause in an agreement. I want this in the public arena.

There were few people in line, but at least ten rows of switchbacks, which my guide dog finds tricky, so we chose the premium lane. We offered those in the line ready to go first, but they told us to go ahead. This lane was the only one with a body scanner, not an x-ray.

We put bags and metal on the belt and walked to the scanner. The male security guard said aggressively you can’t come through this lane with the dog. I explained that at GC airport where I live there are only body scanners, and I do it every time I travel – regularly. He refused I explained I would sit the dog, be scanned, and call her through. She would trigger, I would not, and she gets pat-down. She loves, I do not. Again refused. I tried once more, and G said the guard had turned his back on me. How insulting and disempowering to someone who cannot see.

This has happened to me many times before, including being physically pushed backwards in Darwin, and I was completely triggered.  I felt sicker in the stomach than I usually do when I go to airports, and my heart rate increased significantly. I was sweating.

G was appalled at my treatment. We decided to give in, and go to the other lane. This made me feel worse, as I knew what was happening to me was discriminatory and unacceptable.

I sat my dog before the x-ray and went through it without setting it off. The whole time the guard, or a different one, was saying I could not come through that way. I called the dog through and she triggered the scanner.

The guard said I had to be patted down, even though I had not triggered the scanner. G, who could see, waved over the supervisor called Andrew who asked the guard if I had triggered. Guard said no. If G had not been there I think the guard’s answer would be different.

I forgot to say that when I told the first guard that I used body scanners like this all over the country he just said Not In Adelaide!

Andrew then said only dog to be patted down and we got through. I felt incredibly stressed, humiliated and overwhelmed.  G walked to the Virgin lounge where staff saw my distress and treated me very well.

Geoff is right – I want policy change and more respect and flexibility for people just trying to comply with the Security process the way everyone else does. I do not want a separate system. Want this one to treat us equally.

I also want $5000 compensation to a charity of my choice. Apologies made are meaningless platitudes – I want real change. I am happy to try conciliation, but will not settle for less.

I am ready to go to court if necessary. This is not the worst discrimination that occurs and is not about me, it’s for all disabled people just wanting to live our lives. I’m angry as hell, and not going to take any more.

End of thread. The Loose unit is out of the bottle, and it’s not going back until organisations, through their actions, and change in attitude, treat us equally in our own community.

There are stacks of ways airlines do not include us! I’ll list a few. Making us board first and get off last. Sure if you want to, but that should be our choice.

Inaccessible in-flight entertainment systems! No captions or audio descriptions on movies! No onboard wheelchairs so peeps can go to the toilet.

So few meet and assist staff that we have inordinately long waits, and are treated as second class citizens. Only two wheelchair users on an aircraft. Many Many more.

But my favourite! Building portable ramps rather than stairs at airports with no aerobridge which are so steep and not load-bearing to take wheelchair users. IT’s AN f…ing RAMP FOR GOD SAKE!

Let’s not make nice. Let’s lodge discrimination complaints, let’s tell our peak advocacy bodies, let’s say these things in the review of the transport Standards. Our right to equal freedom of movement is fundamental.

In fact, if airlines have lost or broken our wheelchairs, let’s just sit on the bloody plane till they find or fix it! Let’s all be Loose Units!

One of my favourite child-hood memories is the family visit to the Royal Easter Show. It was proceeded by weeks of anticipation, the animals, the exhibition halls, the rides and the fireworks. And we were all allowed to choose our three favourite show-bags.

Whether you grew up in Melbourne and it was the show in September, or if your child-hood was in Brisbane and it was the Ekka in August, it was always a time of excitement.

The world has moved on from such events. This change was occurring before Covid, but the virus has just accelerated that change. We now go to virtual events, where the uncomfortable wooden seat in the arena is replaced by our favourite armchair, the long wait in the ticket queue is replaced by a simple clickthrough, and that wonderful smell of hot chips and fresh popcorn is replaced by the pandemic baking smells coming from our own kitchens. It’s a different world.

But we still see possibilities which may shape our future, and we still make our choices – not showbags now but products and services.

I’m going to one of these expo’s this weekend, and I thought you might join me. It’s the Virtual Disability Expo, which used to take place in Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Nepean, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. But now it’s coming to a screen near you.

Do you want to know about the four key foods which can give you more energy? Learn more about your disability service provider and possible alternatives. Here from some great speakers and view some excellent about ways in which you could use your NDIS plan. These are just some of the things you can do if you register at www.virtualdisabilityexpo.com.au It’s happening this Friday and Saturday.

As an added bonus, I am interviewed on the virtual stage on Friday at 1 PM and you can ask me anything in the virtual chat.

There’s no traffic jam in the parking lot or ticket queues. There’s no tired crying children on the way home. Just sit in your favourite armchair and click the link.

Seeya there 😀

Have you heard my radio show Deep Dive on Mushroom FM? I’m on every tuesday at 6am AEST and if you’re not an early bird it’s replayed 8pm wednesdays.

Deep Dive features the artists we remember and how they played a part in our lives. The approach is one artist, one focus for one hour. We go to air on Mondays at 4pm Eastern, and replay on Wednesdays at 6am Eastern. In Australia that is 6am Tuesdays replaying at 8pm Wednesdays.

Your favourite artists and memories can feature in the show. Just email graeme@mushroomfm.com and share your favourite artists and why you remember them, and name your favourite songs. Or you could attach a sound recording and feature in the show. I love to have friends along!

I’ve also got a regular blog alongside the show, you can check out my previous Deep Dive posts here or take look through the feed below.

Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Graeme Innes AM, has been appointed by the Australian Bankers’ Association to head up a review of existing electronic accessibility standards.

The review is vital in ensuring that all Australians are able to access banking including ATMs, Eftpos, online banking and banking apps, and that bank staff receive appropriate training.

The ABA’s Deputy CEO, Diane Tate, said the future of banking is rapidly changing.

“Technology is a huge enabler for many people but not everybody. We need to make sure that banking is as accessible and easy as possible.

“We need to ensure that standards today enable all Australians to enjoy equal access to banking, which is a vital part of modern life. We look forward to Graeme’s insights into what the industry can do to achieve this,” Ms Tate said.

Dr Innes said he is very pleased to be involved in the review.

“Banks led the way on voluntary industry standards in the ‘90s. I’m happy to be involved to be working with them again to make those standards relevant for today,” Dr Innes said.

“Dr Innes and TCC Strategic Consulting will engage with a wide range of stakeholders including, the disability sector, banks, government agencies and the technology sector as part of the overarching review.

“As a former Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission I am passionate about equality and access to services. Technology has moved so quickly that we need to ensure that products are not just fit for today, but also for the future.

“I applaud the ABA for seeking to consult broadly with a range of organisations in the banking and disability sectors and myself and TCC strategic are looking forward to being involved in this review,” Dr Innes said.

The review will look at existing standards, accessible authentication principles, existing bank accessibility plans, and domestic and international best practices.

Contacts:

Graeme Innes 0412 369 963; TCC Strategic Consulting: Dominique Antarakis 0409 911 891 ABA: Kelly Stevens 0497 577 133 Nathalie Samia 0410 348 531

 

Midday with Margaret Throsby – listen to Graeme talk with Margaret here

Wonderful to join Jen Blyth, Advocacy Manager for Deaf Victoria, on ABC’s Conversation Hour. Hope you enjoy the interview.