Jude (if I can use this form of address?),

We will be using whatever term that is derived for the service enhancements
that we want to put in place internally.  The public terminology has not yet
been established.  That is going to be difficult.  

For children that travel on their own, airlines use the term "unaccompanied
minors".   Since there are legal obligations when accepting unaccompanied
minors, airlines charge additional monies for providing this service - going
through passport control is an issue and, of course the responsibility for
the children's welfare is imposed on airlines from start to finish on their
journeys.  Unaccompanied minors actually end up accompanied throughout their
travel until they are collected at the other end.  That is not something
that we want to replicate since the people we are looking to serve better
will, hopefully, have more independence than children.  Obviously catering
for those people that cannot travel independently is a separate issue but
is, again, something that airlines can improve upon.

People can be extremely insensitive and ignorant at times, as your comment
indicates.  I know, we have had to put up with some extremely rude people
when Daniel is at his most disturbed.  In fairness, before I knew anything
about autism [although I would never have been rude or insensitive], I would
have been annoyed by a child acting up as Daniel does.

It might be of interest you to hear about an incident that occurred fairly
recently - doesn't relate to Daniel's behaviour but is, I think, germane to
what I am going to say next!  I am currently designing our new first and
business class lounges for the Dubai airport.  In an early meeting with our
selected designer and contractor, I was insisting on disabled toilets being
provided, ramps up to the food courts (which are terraced).  In general,
paying a lot of attention to the requirements of the ADA (the standard that
I have chosen to impose at the Airport here).  The Contractor started to say
that we're spending a lot of time discussing such provisions and smirked as
they asked "why".  I turned on them quite calmly and said that "it is
because I have a disabled son, that these issues are important to me and
should be to you too."  The reaction was interesting, smirk went and they
were immediately into serious discussions.  They have been very good since
in their input for disabled people but it is a shame that people have to be
shocked into taking such issues seriously.

This indicates to me (and of course my own previous ignorance highlights
this too) that there is a great need to make people more aware of the
various disabilities that exist and the difficulties that such people face.
I believe that, by having a programme such as the one we are trying to put
in place, awareness will spread - certainly amongst our staff and then
perhaps to the general public.  How to do this clearly has to be handled
carefully since what we do not want to do is to disenfranchise the very
people that we are seeking to help.  I must admit that I was quite surprised
that the term "special needs" is so upsetting - but then you have to forgive
me, I am on a learning curve and would be the first to accept that I have a
great deal to learn.

We are now shutting up for the New Year (our weekend is Thursday/Friday) and
we are lucky enough to get the 1st of as a holiday - not usual in Muslim
countries.  So, unless my Y2K contingency plans are totally out of kilter
with reality, I shan't be in the office again until next year.  Once again,
I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that the new year brings you all
everything that you could wish for.

Best wishes,

Patrick


-----Original Message-----
From:	[log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:	Wednesday, December 29, 1999 2:25 PM
To:	[log in to unmask]
Subject:	Re: proposed extension to UK disability discrimination Act

Patrick,

I understand your dilemma on terminology.  It's is a difficult situation and

as someone who has a disability.... I would say I'm apprehensive when I see 
the words 'special' and 'needs' put together.  In basic terms I have the
same 
need as anyone else using an airline and that is a from of transport to a 
destination.  I do agree that you have to label a service that will be 
provided.  I was pondering this one and thought that maybe something towards

the terms hospitality requirements or service...Hospitality Access, "ready
to 
serve your individual access needs"  This way all people can be seen as 
individuals who have needs.  

It is so often that people have a disability that is not recognised or know 
to cause them some sort or mobility or orientation difficulty.  I have 
dwarfism and because I can walk people assume that I can walk as much as the

average person, but I also have arthritis and use a wheelchair for
distances. 
 I get the strangest reactions when I get out of a wheelchair.  I have even 
been ask "why do you need a wheelchair you can walk your just short."  Yet I

know other dwarf people who have no problems at all walking, but I must 
mention that there are over 100 types of dwarfism each with their own 
characteristics.

May I ask what service aids in the assists with children with the need to 
travel on their own?

I hope that has helped to get the minds stirring a bit on the terminology of

an airline access service.

Take care,
Jude

Judith M. Irving BSc arch. envir.
LSA Design consultant


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