Jack Kavanagh

48 hours in Brussels at the European Parliament. 🇪🇺

Very insightful trip exploring what is happening (or not happening) to progress equity and inclusion for people with disabilities and those who have been disabled and learning about the legislative/regulatory landscape and how to move the needle forward to make aviation more accessible. 👍

On the first day I had the opportunity to sit in on a committee working on the European Disability and Transport Cards. Ironically I just about made it because we had such difficulty getting a wheelchair accessible taxi from the airport 🛫🚉🚕

While I was there, I had the opportunity to meet some of our Irish MEPs as well as from Sweden and from Greece. All people seeking progress and seeking to represent the diversity of European citizens 🙌

As a point of note Brussels is incredibly inaccessible on the many planes of access. The parliament buildings are excellent, but outside of that is a minefield! ♿️🤷‍♂️

Onwards 🙏

🇪🇺

Yesterday was a significant moment. Senior decision makers from across the Aviation industry in one room being educated on the real-world challenges faced by those travelling by air with mobility/accessibility requirements, but more important than that, actively engaging with the issue and working towards collective solutions. Onwards!

A brief excerpt from the article:
Ireland is a leader in so many areas of global aviation that it should take the lead, too, on making planes more accessible to everybody. “We have the real capacity to change things just with people in the room today. We can significantly move the needle,”.
 
“The essence of what business is, is about innovating and problem solving to meet the needs of customers. Awareness always precedes change. When people are not aware of the real impact a problem has on people, they can’t provide a solution. Today was about explaining the problem, the next step is about solving it.”

Thank you to Irelandia Aviation dec ryan for hosting and Tom Lyons at for profiling the discussion.