Research compares disabled facilities at top UK airports

A GUIDE comparing the disabled facilities and services available at the 20 busiest airports in the UK has been created by Airport Parking & Hotels (APH). 

The research looks at airports including Birmingham, London Heathrow, and Manchester and compares the facilities available for disabled travellers such as mobility access, areas for guide dogs, services for the hearing-impaired, and disabled parking options.

For the hearing-impaired, all 20 of the airports researched have induction loop systems installed and five airports provide text phone facilities including London City, Edinburgh, and London Stansted, with Belfast City providing a text phone on request from the information desk. Airport staff who are proficient in British Sign Language Stage 1 are also available at London Stansted and Birmingham, with most of the staff at London Stansted also being trained in deaf awareness.

For those thinking about driving to the airport, disabled parking spaces are available at all of the 20 airports researched, with eight airports offering free or discounted parking options for Blue Badge holders.

To assist travellers in wheelchairs or those using electronic mobility aids, 10 of the airports researched including Liverpool and Belfast International provide specifically highlighted accessible doors, and East Midlands International offers a dedicated security lane for wheelchair users. Those travelling with their own electric mobility aid should check the airport requirements prior to travel with three airports –London Gatwick, Liverpool, and London Luton – all explicitly requiring electric mobility aids to be switched off before boarding. All of the airports researched require at least 48 hours’ notice prior to travelling in order to plan assistance for disabled travellers.

Changing facilities for disabled travellers are available at nine of the airports researched, including London Heathrow, London Stansted, and Belfast. Travellers wanting to use changing facilities should keep in mind that this needs to be booked in advance at Birmingham. London Heathrow offers disabled travellers access to the Lichfield Suite at Terminal 5, which has a height-adjustable changing bench, hoist, and shower.

All airports researched allow guide dogs within the terminal buildings, but travellers should be aware that guide dogs can travel only if they are registered with the Pet Travel Scheme and permitted by the airline.

The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website … www.aph.com/disabledfacilities.

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