Disability, inclusion and learning from the Paralympics

Jay Shen at Transreport explains how to ensure a lasting legacy from the Paralympic Games

As the world turned its attention to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (August 28 to September 8), we were reminded of the incredible journey that began in 1948 with just 16 injured servicemen and women participating in archery at the Stoke Mandeville Games. At that time, the Paralympics acted as a catalyst for societal transformation.

Since then, the global growth of the Paralympic Games, which are no longer standalone but are integrated with both the Summer and Winter Games, has significantly impacted international accessibility standards and played a key role in shifting societal attitudes. 

The Paralympics games have consistently demonstrated their potential to drive positive change, with their impact extending far beyond the sporting arena, to lasting societal transformations in host cities and beyond.

Previous Games have demonstrated the potential for long-term change. For example, Beijing 2008 saw an investment of €125 million to make 14,000 facilities across China accessible. Following the London Games in 2012, a nationwide survey demonstrated that the Paralympic coverage – which amounted to over 500 hours’ worth of TV time – led to attitudinal shifts towards Disability in one in three people. Rio 2016 improved perceptions of Disabled people among 79% of Brazilians, while Tokyo 2020 catalysed improvements in metro accessibility and introduced new legislation promoting universal design.

However, significant barriers remain in making the Paralympic experience accessible to all. A recent BBC News report highlighted ongoing concerns about the lack of Disabled access on the Paris Metro system during the Paralympics, with only 3% of Metro stations in Paris fully accessible to wheelchair users. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both physical and attitudinal barriers to create a truly inclusive environment. 

Paris, hosting the Paralympics for the first time, did embrace the opportunity to enhance accessibility. Anticipating over 280,000 Disabled attendees, the city introduced innovative solutions such as tactile tablets, audio descriptions, and low-vision headsets. A €125 million investment led to the development of Enhanced Accessibility Neighbourhoods, improvements in public transport, and plans for more accessible schools and municipal buildings.

However, as Andrew Parsons, IPC President, pointed out, these improvements are "the starting point of an accessibility journey, rather than the end." This reinforces the message that accessibility should be a permanent societal goal, extending beyond major events to create lasting impact.

One area with significant potential for change on a global scale following the Paralympics is aviation. The Games highlight the importance of ensuring a seamless travel experience that accommodates the diverse needs of all passengers. This focus on inclusive travel practices during major events can inspire long-term improvements in the aviation industry.

There were over 4.45 million requests for assistance at UK airports in 2023/2024, a 21% increase from the previous year. There is, therefore, a clear demand and necessity to continue to make tangible change. While there is no one quick fix, part of the solution is for the aviation industry to integrate forward-looking technology to dismantle barriers. The industry, known for its technological advancements, continues to explore how new innovations can empower both staff and passengers while addressing industry challenges. Creating better experiences for everyone involved. 

For example, at Transreport, we’re making travel accessible through our Passenger Assistance technology, working closely with airports and airlines across the aviation industry, as well as other transport modes worldwide. Our platform enables passengers to create digital profiles outlining their access requirements, which can be seamlessly shared with travel operators.

This streamlined approach eliminates the need for repeated phone calls, back-and-forth emails, and constant re-sharing of information. By digitalising the process, we also safeguard privacy, removing the necessity to disclose personal information in public spaces.

From an operational standpoint, our technology equips aviation staff with comprehensive passenger profiles, enabling them to deliver personalised assistance tailored to individual needs. The system facilitates efficient coordination between office and frontline teams, ensuring accessibility requirements are communicated well in advance. Staff benefit from real-time visibility of assistance requests, allowing for proactive operation management and enhanced customer service.

Additionally, our sophisticated reporting capabilities provide valuable insights, driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency across the aviation sector.

The upcoming European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a positive step, mandating accessibility in digital touchpoints of air travel. However, this should not be seen as a tick box exercise. It is instead about going beyond a compliance-only approach and focusing on the people not the numbers, creating better and more consistent experiences.

Embracing a holistic, accessibility focused, and technology-driven approach balanced with flexibility to accommodate individual need should create a system that offers familiar, reliable support while still adapting to each person’s individual access needs.  

One of the most significant parts of our process is our continuous collaboration with Disabled people and people with lived experience. While it might sound obvious to some, it is often overlooked despite co-production being essential for improving frameworks and systems to ensure improved accessibility.

By involving individuals with a diverse range of accessibility needs and experiences throughout the process and in all key decision-making processes, airlines and airports can create more flexible and inclusive systems. 

At Transreport we prioritise diversity and inclusion at every level of the business to enable different viewpoints and perspectives to be heard; working closely with an accessibility panel composed of Disabled people with diverse travel experiences across multi-modal transport, and diverse experiences of travel across different transport modes.

As we celebrate the incredible achievements from the Paris 2024 Paralympics, let’s commit to ensuring that accessibility is a fundamental principle of equitable design, not just a response to events like the Paralympics.

Harnessing technology, fostering collaboration, and centring the experiences of Disabled individuals, we can create a more inclusive world for all passengers. We know what is possible when we prioritise accessibility and inclusion. The aviation industry, along with others, can build on this momentum to continue enhancing travel experiences for all passengers. 

Jay Shen is Founder and CEO at Transreport

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and Boonyachoat