Being a person with disabilities is not easy in a world that is made only with able-bodied people in mind, more so when your disability is invisible. Recently, a social development researcher who also happens to be a person with invisible disabilities shared her frustrating experience with the staff of Indira Gandhi International Airport or IGIA in Delhi as well as Air India. The disappointment, perhaps, is accentuated by the fact that the airport has a program that claims to accommodate persons with hidden or invisible disabilities.
Researcher And Person With Disability Shares Frustrating Experience
Ayushmita Samal, a Social Development researcher, was travelling alone Internationally for the very first time. As a person with psychosocial disabilities, she had done her part: she called the airline in advance, registered her PNR with them and also read up about the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program.
However, much to her dismay, when she arrived at the airport, the ground staff of Air India refused to help her. She persisted, referred to the call she made to the airlines earlier and even urged them to check her documents.
However, all the staff did was add “assistance” to her boarding pass and send her to Delhi Airport’s assistance staff. The airport staff, however, refused to provide her with assistance without a wheelchair. Even though she was able to walk and only required human assistance, they insisted that she take the wheelchair.
Delhi Airport’s Hidden Disability Sunflower Program: Lip Service Or Impactful?
When she went back to the Air India staff, what they told her basically amounted to “We’re too busy, please take whatever assistance you can get.” She was therefore forced to go through the entire process alone and anxious.
In her post on the professional networking website, LinkedIn, she expressed her exasperation that despite having ostensible disability-friendly services, there is such a lack of awareness and sensitisation among the staff.
Also Read: Watch: Inside Pune’s Sensory Garden For People With Intellectual And Developmental Disability
Do you or someone you know have invisible disabilities? If so, are such incidents frequent for you? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Pro Images, Wikimedia Commons and Ayushmita Samal/LinkedIn
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.
First Published: November 15, 2024 5:21 PM