British Airways has introduced a new independent panel to enhance the travel experience for customers with accessibility needs.
The Customer Access Advisory Panel will engage with the community to address and improve various aspects of travel, from IT solutions to airport and onboard experiences.
The panel, chaired by wheelchair user and accessible aviation consultant Mary Doyle, comprises individuals with both visible and non-visible disabilities. It will convene regularly to discuss and review initiatives aimed at improving accessibility across the airline. Members of the panel include:
Simon Houghton: Behaviour change consultant and founder of UnseenAware, who was born deaf.
Paul Hayman: International CFO and frequent traveller with autism, focused on assisting the neuro-diverse community by educating others.
Dom Hyams: Global client director at Purple Goat, the world’s first social-first inclusive marketing agency.
Neil Barnfather MBE: Blind entrepreneur and accessibility advocate.
Jenny Berry: Content producer, wheelchair user, and head of community at Sociability, an app that helps those with disabilities find accessible places.
British Airways stated that the panel will play a crucial role in shaping the airline’s inclusivity practices by providing practical recommendations based on evidence and lived experiences. The panel’s insights will guide improvements across various areas, ensuring a more inclusive travel experience for all customers.
Recently, British Airways partnered with Signcode, an organisation dedicated to ensuring equal access to information for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This partnership allows customers to access key travel information, including BA’s onboard safety briefing, in signed video form.
Mary Doyle, the chair of the panel, expressed her enthusiasm: “It’s an honour to lead this panel and work with British Airways to make meaningful changes that improve accessibility. Our collective experiences and expertise will help shape an airline experience that is inclusive and accommodating for all passengers.”
The formation of the Customer Access Advisory Panel underscores British Airways’ commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that all passengers, regardless of their disabilities, have a comfortable and seamless travel experience.