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    India DGCA Introduces Discriminatory Rule In New Car For Passengers With Disabilities The airline lobby in India gains shorter turnaround times as DGCA introduces a discriminatory cap on the number of wheelchair passengers per flight. On February 28, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India published the revision of the Civil Aviation Requirements for carriage of passengers with special needs. The CAR introduces clearer rules and defines responsibilities between airlines and airports. In 2013, Reduced Mobility Rights was invited by the former director of DGCA to introduce its comments at revision stage. DGCA picked up several suggestions, but failed to deliver on a core requirement, the clarification and relaxation of caps on the number of wheelchair passengers that can be carried on a given flight. In the United States, airlines are forbidden from limiting the number of passengers with a disability who travel on a flight. In Europe, EASA's advice to airlines is that the number of Passengers with Reduced Mobility should not exceed the number of able-bodied persons capable of assisting with an emergency evacuation. In its suggestions, Reduced Mobility Rights proposed DGCA adopt the European advice, as it provides a fair balance between inclusion and safety. However, DGCA introduces a widely discriminatory rule, capping the number of wheelchair passengers to the number of cabin crew. Article 4.1.12 of the new CAR state “to ensure safety of aircraft operations, the maximum number of non-ambulatory persons with disability or reduced mobility permitted to travel in a single flight shall not be more than the number of cabin crew except when such passengers are accompanied by trained escorts.” The new cap on passengers with mobility limitations completely disregards conclusions of the only existing research on emergency evacuation procedures for passengers with special needs. In 2010 the European Aviation Safety Agency published a report on its extensive study on carriage bu air of special categories of passengers. Researchers found that cabin crew should not be focusing on assisting passengers with disabilities during an emergency evacuation. “According to the findings of the analysed studies and the risk assessment, the cabin crew should be responsible primarily for the evacuation of the entire aircraft and only then for the evacuation of individuals. It is not recommended to task the cabin crew primarily with the evacuation of SCPs or to obligate them to assist,” the final report says. Enplaning and deplaning passengers with reduced mobility may cause significant delays in turnaround times, the time required to deplane and enplane passengers and cargo and refuel. Shorter turnaround times translate into higher profitability. A handful of disreputable airlines, like Qantas owned Jetstar, impose a limit of two wheelchair passengers per flight, alleging safety as reason for the cap. On 28 February 2014 India has taken a step back on inclusion, sanctioning discrimination against wheelchair passengers by means of a discredited safety requirement. http://www.reducedmobility.eu/20140313435/The-News/india-dgca-introduces-discriminatory-rule-in-new-car-for-passengers-with-disabilities.html

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    India DGCA Introduces Discriminatory Rule In New Car For Passengers With Disabilities The airline lobby in India gains shorter turnaround times as DGCA introduces a discriminatory cap on the number of wheelchair passengers per flight. On February 28, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India published the revision of the Civil Aviation Requirements for carriage of passengers with special needs. The CAR introduces clearer rules and defines responsibilities between airlines and airports. In 2013, Reduced Mobility Rights was invited by the former director of DGCA to introduce its comments at revision stage. DGCA picked up several suggestions, but failed to deliver on a core requirement, the clarification and relaxation of caps on the number of wheelchair passengers that can be carried on a given flight. In the United States, airlines are forbidden from limiting the number of passengers with a disability who travel on a flight. In Europe, EASA's advice to airlines is that the number of Passengers with Reduced Mobility should not exceed the number of able-bodied persons capable of assisting with an emergency evacuation. In its suggestions, Reduced Mobility Rights proposed DGCA adopt the European advice, as it provides a fair balance between inclusion and safety. However, DGCA introduces a widely discriminatory rule, capping the number of wheelchair passengers to the number of cabin crew. Article 4.1.12 of the new CAR state “to ensure safety of aircraft operations, the maximum number of non-ambulatory persons with disability or reduced mobility permitted to travel in a single flight shall not be more than the number of cabin crew except when such passengers are accompanied by trained escorts.” The new cap on passengers with mobility limitations completely disregards conclusions of the only existing research on emergency evacuation procedures for passengers with special needs. In 2010 the European Aviation Safety Agency published a report on its extensive study on carriage bu air of special categories of passengers. Researchers found that cabin crew should not be focusing on assisting passengers with disabilities during an emergency evacuation. “According to the findings of the analysed studies and the risk assessment, the cabin crew should be responsible primarily for the evacuation of the entire aircraft and only then for the evacuation of individuals. It is not recommended to task the cabin crew primarily with the evacuation of SCPs or to obligate them to assist,” the final report says. Enplaning and deplaning passengers with reduced mobility may cause significant delays in turnaround times, the time required to deplane and enplane passengers and cargo and refuel. Shorter turnaround times translate into higher profitability. A handful of disreputable airlines, like Qantas owned Jetstar, impose a limit of two wheelchair passengers per flight, alleging safety as reason for the cap. On 28 February 2014 India has taken a step back on inclusion, sanctioning discrimination against wheelchair passengers by means of a discredited safety requirement. http://www.reducedmobility.eu/20140313435/The-News/india-dgca-introduces-discriminatory-rule-in-new-car-for-passengers-with-disabilities.html

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    BCAS SoP For Screening of Passengers With Special Needs and Medical Conditions

    Uploaded by

    Disability Rights Alliance
    India DGCA Introduces Discriminatory Rule In New Car For Passengers With Disabilities The airline lobby in India gains shorter turnaround times as DGCA introduces a discriminatory cap on the number of wheelchair passengers per flight. On February 28, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India published the revision of the Civil Aviation Requirements for carriage of passengers with special needs. The CAR introduces clearer rules and defines responsibilities between airlines and airports. In 2013, Reduced Mobility Rights was invited by the former director of DGCA to introduce its comments at revision stage. DGCA picked up several suggestions, but failed to deliver on a core requirement, the clarification and relaxation of caps on the number of wheelchair passengers that can be carried on a given flight. In the United States, airlines are forbidden from limiting the number of passengers with a disability who travel on a flight. In Europe, EASA's advice to airlines is that the number of Passengers with Reduced Mobility should not exceed the number of able-bodied persons capable of assisting with an emergency evacuation. In its suggestions, Reduced Mobility Rights proposed DGCA adopt the European advice, as it provides a fair balance between inclusion and safety. However, DGCA introduces a widely discriminatory rule, capping the number of wheelchair passengers to the number of cabin crew. Article 4.1.12 of the new CAR state “to ensure safety of aircraft operations, the maximum number of non-ambulatory persons with disability or reduced mobility permitted to travel in a single flight shall not be more than the number of cabin crew except when such passengers are accompanied by trained escorts.” The new cap on passengers with mobility limitations completely disregards conclusions of the only existing research on emergency evacuation procedures for passengers with special needs. In 2010 the European Aviation Safety Agency published a report on its extensive study on carriage bu air of special categories of passengers. Researchers found that cabin crew should not be focusing on assisting passengers with disabilities during an emergency evacuation. “According to the findings of the analysed studies and the risk assessment, the cabin crew should be responsible primarily for the evacuation of the entire aircraft and only then for the evacuation of individuals. It is not recommended to task the cabin crew primarily with the evacuation of SCPs or to obligate them to assist,” the final report says. Enplaning and deplaning passengers with reduced mobility may cause significant delays in turnaround times, the time required to deplane and enplane passengers and cargo and refuel. Shorter turnaround times translate into higher profitability. A handful of disreputable airlines, like Qantas owned Jetstar, impose a limit of two wheelchair passengers per flight, alleging safety as reason for the cap. On 28 February 2014 India has taken a step back on inclusion, sanctioning discrimination against wheelchair passengers by means of a discredited safety requirement. http://www.reducedmobility.eu/20140313435/The-News/india-dgca-introduces-discriminatory-rule-in-new-car-for-passengers-with-disabilities.html

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    Press Information Bureau Government of India Ministry of Civil Aviation


    28-March-2014 19:26 IST

    SoP for Screening of Passengers with Special Needs and Medical Conditions Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has issued procedure for screening of passengers and carryonbaggagevideCircularNo.23/2005.Theprocedureforscreeningofpersonswithspecial needs including differently abled passengers and passengers with medical condition, has been described in the said circular. The Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) is laid down in the following paragraphs, prescribing the guidelines for screening of such passengers and devices, appliancesandcarryonspertainingtothem.
    TheprovisionscontainedinthisSOPshallbeapplicabletothefollowing:

    (i)AllIndianairlines/carriersengagedinscheduledandnonscheduledairtransportservices bothdomesticandinternational
    (ii)Allforeignairlines/carriersengagedinscheduledairtransportoperatingtoandfromIndian Territory. (iii)Allairportoperators,includingprivate/JVs,withinIndianTerritory.

    (iv)AviationSecurityGroup(ASG)/CISF/APSUdeployedatairports. IPersonwithdisabilitymeansanyindividualwhohasaphysicalormentalimpairmentthat, onapermanentortemporarybasis,substantiallylimitsoneormoremajorlifeactivities,hasarecord ofsuchimpairment,orisregardedashavingsuchimpairment. (a)Physicalormentalimpairmentmeans: (1)anyphysiologicaldisorderorcondition,cosmeticdisfigurement,oranatomicallossaffecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs,respiratoryincludingspeechorgans,cardiovascular,reproductive,digestive,genito urinary,hemicandlymphatic,skin,andendocrineor (2)anymentalorpsychologicaldisorder,suchasmentalretardation,organicbrainsyndrome, emotionalormentalillness,andspecificlearningdisabilities. The term physical or mental impairment includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditionsasorthopedic,visual,speech,andhearingimpairmentscerebralpalsy,epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotionalillness,autism,drugaddiction,alcoholismandgeriatricdisabilities. (b)Majorlifeactivitiesmeansfunctionssuchascaringforonesself,performingmanualtasks, walking,seeing,hearing,speaking,breathing,learningandworking. (c) Has a record of such impairment means has a history of, or has been classified, or misclassified,ashavingamentalorphysicalimpairmentthatsubstantiallylimitsoneormore majorlifeactivities. II. A person with reduced mobility (PRM) means any person whose mobility when using transport is reduced due to any physical disability (sensory or locomotor permanent or temporary),intellectualdisabilityorimpairment,oranyothercauseofdisability,orage,and whosesituationneedsappropriateattentionandtheadaptationtohisorherparticularneeds oftheservicemadeavailabletoallpassengers.

    III. Incapacitated passengers are those with physical or mental disability or with a medical condition,whorequireindividualattentionorassistanceonemplaning/ All airport operators should make special arrangements to facilitate screening of persons withspecialneedsasabovesothattheprocessiscarriedoutefficientlykeepingthedignity andprivacyofthepassengerinmindwhileensuringadequatelevelofscreening.Thiswill includeprovisionofsuitableenclosedspaceforprivatescreeningofpassengerscoveredin thisSoP. Theairportmanagement/representativeofaircarriershallprovidewheelchairsandrender necessary assistance to facilitate the movement of the persons with special needs, when required.However,theywouldnotnormallybedirectlytakentotheaircraft,exceptincase ofambulancepassengers. While thorough checking is essential and the directives under AVSEC circular No. 23/2005willbefollowedinletterandspirit,courtesyandattentiontoprivacyanddignity willbeinvariablyobserved. In the case of a passenger having difficulty in walking or standing, the way his or her screeningisconductedwilldependonhisorherlevelofability/disability. If a passenger has difficulty standing or waiting in line due to a disability or a medical condition,he/sheshoulddulyinformthescreeningpersonnelwhowillassistindirecting the passenger either to front of the queue or to a separate line. Passengers should be encouraged to indicate brief details of their disability at the time of booking of the ticket itselfandincaseofsuchpriorinformation,airlinesandsecuritystaffshallmakeadvance preparationforsuchpassengers. Medicaldocumentationishelpfulbutnotessential. Canes, crutches and other devices which can be separated from the passengers should be subjectedtoxrayscreening. Wherevertestingisdonefordetectionofexplosives,inadditiontoETD,helpofdogsquad maybetakenasperneed.However,sensitivityofpassengerandreligiousconsiderations maybekeptinmind. The procedure laid down herein is not exhaustive, and therefore, in the situations/ circumstances not exclusively dealt with in this SoP, commonsense of the screener shall prevail depending upon the situation, circumstances and condition of the passenger. For example,specialproceduremaybedevisedforpersonswithautism,downsyndromeetc. Theparamountimportanceistoensureaviationsecurityandatthesametimesafeguarding dignityofthepassengersandpreservingprivacy. Screeningofpassengerswhousewheelchairorscooters(i.e.selfdrivenwheelchair) 1. When a passenger arrives at a screening point in a wheel chair / scooter, he/she must be accompaniedeitherbyanothertravellingpassengeroranairlinerepresentative(includingGHA oftheairline)beforeheproceedsthroughsecurity.Theaccompanyingpassengerortheairline

    representativeisresponsibleforthepassengerthroughoutthewholeprocessofscreening. 2. Ifapassengerarrivesatascreeningpointinawheelchairandhe/sheisnotaccompaniedby anothertravellingpassengeroranairlinerepresentative,theairlinesCustomerServiceshould becontactedforassistance. 3. At the screening point, depending upon the ability of the passenger to walk, he/she will be requestedtowalkthroughtheDFMDunaided.Ifhe/shecannotwalk,itistheresponsibilityof theaccompanyingtravellingpassengerortheairlinerepresentativetopushthepassengerinthe wheelchairunlessitisselfdriven. 4. In accordance with Airlines policy, there may also be non travelling support personnel in attendancetoboardtheaircraftandliftthepassengerintohis/herseat.Thissupportpersonmust beaccompaniedbytheairlinerepresentative. 5.Ifthereisarequirementforthepassengertobeliftedatthescreeningpoint,thesupportperson ortheairlinerepresentativewillperformtheliftingforthepassenger. 6. The support person will be escorted by an Airline representative at the time of boarding/ disembarkation. 7.Ifthepassengercanstandbutcannotwalk,he/shecanbescreenedbyundergoingapatdown whilehe/shestandsbesidethewheelchairorscooter. 8. Ifapassengercannotstand,he/sheshouldbeofferedachairforscreeningandsubjectedtoa patdownthereafter. 9.IfthereisanalarmbytheDFMD,HHMDorothertechnology,thesamemustberesolved.If thealarmcannotberesolved,thepassengerwillnotbepermittedbeyondthecheckpoint. 10. The passengers wheelchair or scooter will be inspected, including the seat cushions and any pouches/pockets.Itwillbetestedfortracesofexplosives.Removablepoucheswillbexray screened. 11.Anycarryonbagordocumentwiththewheelchairpassengershallbepassedthroughthex rayscreening. 12. IfapersonobjectstoproceedingthroughtheDFMDonjustifiedmedicalorotherground,he/ shewillbeallowedpassagethroughalternativewaybythefriskingofficerandthensubjectedto screeningbypatdownsearchandHHMDwherepermissible. 13.Ifapersonrefusestoundergoscreening,thefriskingofficerwillinformthesupervisor,whowill directwhatfurtheractionistobetaken.Theconcernedpassengerwillnotbeallowedentrypast thescreeningpoint. 14. Only when satisfied that a person is not carrying any prohibited or dangerous article, the screeningofficershallallowthepersontoproceedbeyondthescreeningpoint. Screeningofpassengerwithprosthetics 1. During screening of prosthetics ASG/APSU may use Xray. ETD and visual check dependingonthecircumstances. 2. ThepassengershouldinformtheASG/APSUoftheexistenceofaprosthetic,hisorher ability and of any need for assistance before screening begins. Passengers can use NotificationCardtocommunicatediscreetlywithsecurityofficers.However,showingthis cardorothermedicaldocumentationwillnotexemptapassengerfromadditionalscreening whennecessary. 3.Dignityandprivacyofthepassengersshouldbeborneinmindduringtheentireprocessof

    security screening. Where the officer needs to see the prosthetic, care should be taken against exposing any sensitive areas. ASG/APSU will also use technology to test the prosthetic for traces of explosive material. If explosive material is detected, the passenger willhavetoundergoadditionalscreening. 4.Passengerwithprostheticsorbraces/supportappliancesmustbeaccompaniedbyanairline representative,preferableofthesamegenderasthepassenger. 5.Thestaffofairlineandanyotheraccompanyingpersonshallbefriskedandcheckedbefore allowingthemaccesstothepassengerwithprostheticsatthescreeningpoint. 6.ThepassengerwillfirstpassthroughtheDFMDandnecessarysecuritychecks. 7.Thepassengershouldthenbetakentoaprivatescreeningpointandmadetositcomfortably. He/she will receive additional screening including a patdown. If necessary, screening throughETDtracewillbeadopted.Whiledealingwithprostheticdeviceandduringtaking offandputtingonofclothes,privacyofthepassengershouldbemaintained. 8.Screeningoftheprostheticappliancewillincludexrayscreening,ETDdetectionandvisual inspection. During visual inspection, care should be taken that sensitive parts are not exposed. 9.Thescreeningintheprivatescreeningareawillbecarriedoutbytwoofficials,onetohandle to HHMD and patdown and the other to inspect the prosthetics, braces and support applianceandsubjectthemtoadditionalscreening. Screeningofpassengerswhocannotremoveshoes,medicaldeviceorbandages 1. Passengerswhocannotremovetheirshoesduetoamedicalconditionshouldinform thesupervisor,SHAbeforescreening. 2.PassengercanbescreenedusingDFMDand/orawholebodypatdown. 3.TheshoesmaybesubjectedtoadditionalscreeninglikeETD,etc. 4. Passengers can be screened without disconnecting external medical devices and submittingthemforxray.SuchdevicesincludeInsulinpumps,Hearingaids,Cochlear implants,Spinalstimulators,BonegrowthstimulatorsandOstomies. 5. Undermostcircumstances,apassengercanconductaselfpatdownofthesedevices followedbyETDscreeningofhis/herhands. 6. Thedevicesshouldalsobephysicallycheckedagainstanyoutsideinterferenceinthe manufacturing. 7. Casts, braces and support appliances will be thoroughly inspected without exposing sensitiveareasasfaraspossible.ETDscreeningwillalsobeusedtotestfortracesof explosivematerials,wherepossible. 8.Incaseofbandagesand/ordressing,whilecautionwillbeobservedduringpatdown, it needs to be ensured that the covered area is free of threat item. Metal detector, observationandselfpatdownfollowedbyETDchecksmaysufficeinmostcases. 9.Passengerswithmetalimplantswillbesubjectedtoathoroughpatdown,andthemetal alarm should be resolved satisfactorily. The full body pat down should include the following: i. Itshouldconcentrateonupperlegsandtorso. ii.Specialattentionshouldbegiventothechestandabdomenareasofthebody. iii. Particularfocusshouldbeonanyskinsurfaceabnormalitiesorwiresortubes exitingthebodythatmaybesignsofanimplanteddevice.

    10.InaccordancewithBCASmemo.no.CAS3(32)/2009/DIVIIIB(SAKolkata) dt 5.9.2010, all airport operators shall display a board near SHA in a prominent way statingthatDFMD/HHMDaresafeforpacemakerandforpregnantladies. Screeningofpassengerswithserviceanimals: Ifthepassengerhasaserviceanimal,theinstructionsissuedbyAVSECcircularno.6/2001shallbe implemented.Iftheserviceanimalispermittedtobecarriedonboardthefollowing instructionsshallbefollowed. a.Theanimalmustbewearingaharness,vest,orotheridentifierthatitisaserviceanimal. b.Thepassengermustmaintaincontroloftheanimalatalltimes. c.Heorsheshouldnotbeseparatedfromtheserviceanimal. d. Thescreeningofficershouldaskforpermissionofthepassengerbeforetouchingthe animal. e.Serviceanimalsarescreenedusingwalkthroughmetaldetectorfollowedbyapatdown. Therearethreeoptions: i. Theserviceanimalgoesfirstandthepassengerfollowsholdingtheleash. ii.Thepassengergoesfirstholdingtheleashandtheserviceanimalfollows. iii.Thepassengerandtheserviceanimalgotogether. f.Regardlessofwhogoesthroughthemetaldetectorfirst,thescreeningofficerwillperform a physical inspection of the animal and its belongings (collar, harness, leash, backpack, vest,etc.).Thebelongingswillnotberemovedfromtheanimal.

    g.Thepassengershouldnotmakecontactwithserviceanimal(otherthanmaintaincontrolof theleash)untiltheanimalhasbeencleared. h. Medication for serving animals will be subjected to x ray and other screening, if required, separately. These also should be separated from other items in the passenger carryon. Ambulancepassengers Due to exigencies of their exceptional medical conditions/ illness, some passengers are directly taken through the security gates to the aircraft for boarding. In such cases, as far as possible,theairportoperator/airlineshouldprovideitsownambulance. a.Thepassengerandalloccupantsofthevehicleshouldbesubjectedtoapreembarkation securitycheckatthesecuritygatebytheASG/APSUstaffunderthesupervisionofan officernotbelowtherankofanInspector.Theambulanceshouldbepermittedtoproceed totheaircraftonlyafterthischeckhasbeencompleted. b.Incasetheambulanceisprivatelyownedorhospitalprovided,itmustbeledbyfollow me vehicle of the airport operator. The ASG/ APSU staff shall check to ensure that the vehicles do not carry anything objectionable and are not being accompanied by

    unauthorizedpersonsorpersonswhohavenoneedtobeinthevehicles.Suchambulance willbeescortedbyASG/APSUstaff. c. All occupants of the vehicles, unless exempted, must be screened at the gate before allowingentryintotheairport. d. Themovementoftheambulanceshouldbecoordinatedwellinadvancebytheairline operatorwithCASOandairportoperator. Screeningofmedicationandassociatedsupplies a. Allmedicationsandassociatedsupplies(i.e.,syringes,sharpsdisposalcontainer,pens, infusersetc.)areallowedthroughthecheckpointonlyaftertheyhavebeenscreened. b.Medicationandrelatedsuppliesarenormallyxrayed. c.Passengershavetheoptionofrequestingavisualinspectionofmedicationsandassociated supplieswithduereason. d.Anymedicationthatcannotbeclearedvisuallymustbesubmittedforxrayscreening. e. BCAS has issued detailed guidelines regarding carriage of liquids, aerosols and gel (LAGs) on board vide AVSEC Circular No. 18/ 2006. Medically necessary LAGs are permittedinexcessof100mlonneedbasisaftertheyhavebeenscreened.Theseitemsare subjecttoadditionalscreeningthroughvisualinspectionandETDswipe,ifnecessary. IfapassengerhasmedicallynecessaryLAGs,heorsheneedsto:

    i. Limittheamounttowhatisreasonablynecessaryfortheitinerary

    ii.SeparatetheseitemsfromtheotherLAGs

    iii.Declaretheitemsand, iv.Presenttheseitemsforadditionalinspectiononreachingthesecuritycheckpoint.

    Xrayscreeningofrespiratoryequipment
    a. Supplemental oxygen and other respiratory related equipment are permitted through the checkpoint once they have been screened. This is subject to DGCA regulations also. b. If a passenger can disconnect from the oxygen, the oxygen container will undergo x ray screening. c. Passengers who cannot disconnect from respiratory equipment will be screened by undergoing a pat down. d.Respiratory equipment that is not x rayed will be visually and physically inspected, and will be subject to ETD screening.

    *****

    UM/SA/IK (

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