PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FIND SOLUTION TO DISCRIMINATION AMONG AIRLINES

People with disabilities gather recently in Abuja on the 1st of November, 2019 to proffer a common solution to the constant discrimination against them from airlines flying in and out of Nigeria. The meeting took place at Laps New World Hotel Utako, Abuja. The meeting was inspired by the many cases of discrimination they suffer from the airlines operating in Nigeria.

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The meeting had more than 25 persons with disabilities in attendance, and more than 30 media houses representing the print and electronic media. The issue was discussed thoroughly and participants shared their stories before the media and also came up with a solution to the challenges. These include, but not limited to engaging the airlines directly to find a common ground, and also the possibility of going to court to seek for justice.

The new disability law could help us to find a permanent solution to the challenge, the meeting also had an aviation expert in attendance, he is Mr Godwin Ike from Goddy Ike and Partners. He drew our attention to the fact that the root cause of our problems with the airlines could be traced to the Montreal Convention guiding the rules and operation of airlines in the world. Mr. Godwin said the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Montreal convention did not anticipate the issue of discrimination on the basis of disability. It only made provision for loss or damage luggage and death arising from air accident, and most airline staff and crew know all these.