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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Elias Visontay Transport and urban affairs reporter

Australia’s airlines and airports urged to improve treatment of travellers with disabilities

Airline passengers make their way through Melbourne airport
Royal commissioner Ronald Sackville has called on airline and airport chiefs to do more to address ‘avoidable challenges’ for people with disabilities. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

The chair of the disability royal commission has written to Australian airline and airport chiefs about improving their treatment of travellers with disabilities, after the inquiry heard stories of people dropped on the floor and discrimination against assistance dogs.

The royal commission has so far heard that people with disabilities are routinely subject to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation when flying domestically, with participants telling the inquiry they felt airlines were “dehumanising” them and that complaints were rarely followed up. Advocates have told Guardian Australia that complaining through the Australian Human Rights Commission is often the only way to seek recourse.

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