Many thanks to Deaf Blind Canada, a group on Facebook for announcing the wonderful news. In sum, the Federal Appeals Court has turned down an appeal by Air Canada and WestJet – two major airlines in Canada – to argue the Transportation Board’s decision to allow passengers with severe disabilities bring assistance (intervenors, support service providers, family friend) to travel for free while obese passengers get a seat free.
The Toronto Star Article
http://healthzone.ca/health/article/425135
While the decision will cost Air Canada and Westjet a large percentage of their annual income (14-16%), this is a victory for Deaf Blind Canadians who have, in the past, had traumatizing experiences travelling alone.
I wrote a story about this earlier in November and posted an blog about whether Deaf Blind people should be allowed to fly alone.
Blog: I Could Have Been Tasered
http://tactiletheworld.wordpress.com/2007/11/20/blog-i-could-have-been-tasered/
Blog: Should The Deaf Blind be Allowed to Travel Alone?
http://tactiletheworld.wordpress.com/2007/10/21/blog-should-deaf-blind-be-allowed-to-fly-alone/
Veni, Vedi, Vici for us! I’m sure I’ll have a lot of friends begging to tag along!
Tactile love, Coco
4 Comments
May 15, 2008 at 3:53 am
hi that is fantastic news!
One thing i was puzzled was it would cost west jet and Air canada a huge part of their earnings – 14 to 16 percent – so i checked the article, and actually its 0.14 percent to 0.16 percent. that is a huge difference.
that’s not much and Air canada and West Jet should not complain. smile.
Noni
May 15, 2008 at 11:18 am
AWESOME NEWS!!! Let me know if you ever need a SSP to travel with…I’m not that far from Canada.
Hugs, mwah!
July 9, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Wow. That’s wonderful news. It would be nice if it happens here in USA. I don’t think the U.S. airliners would allow Deaf to bring someone with him/her to get a free seat. That’s unfortunately.
October 5, 2008 at 11:20 am
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