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Deputy minister of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare Alexia Manombe-Ncube says an incident earlier this yr wherein Elizabeth Angondji (28) was denied entry to a FlyNamibia flight as a result of her wheelchair created a platform for the inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
Manombe-Ncube stated this throughout her keynote deal with at a FlyNamibia symposium final week involving aviation business stakeholders and organisations serving individuals with disabilities.
“I imagine all the pieces occurs for a purpose, and the unfavourable expertise Angondji had in March with air journey turned out for good. Right here we’re right this moment to craft and unlock a complete new world of higher experiences for folks with disabilities travelling by air,” she stated.
The symposium sought to seek out sensible options to accommodate individuals with disabilities throughout the aviation business.
FlyNamibia managing director Andre Compion stated though employees who denied Angondji the chance to board the flight acted consistent with current insurance policies and laws, it turned clear to him that one thing crucial was missing in how the airline handles passengers with disabilities.
“Namibia is a signatory to the United Nations Conference on the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities. And we’re certain to adjust to the necessities of the conference,” Compion stated.
Angondji booked a flight from Windhoek to Ondangwa with the airline, and knowledgeable the airline of her incapacity. Nevertheless, when she arrived on the airport, she was knowledgeable that she couldn’t fly as a result of she was unable to get on the aircraft by herself.
Regardless of explaining that she might get on the aircraft by herself with none points, she was nonetheless denied the chance to board.
In accordance with Angondji, the officers on the airport stated she can’t get on the flight as a result of she “does not have legs”.
“I got here to Windhoek for a programme hosted by MTC and I felt sick and underwent an operation. MTC, due to this fact, booked me a flight again residence, and we did all the pieces we might to ensure the airline was conscious of my wants. Sadly, once I bought to the airport, they turned me away stating my incapacity as a problem, even though I arrived on the airport very early,” she stated.
“It’s simply unbelievable what number of doorways are closed to individuals with disabilities with an enormous sticker saying: ‘ACCESS DENIED’,” Manombe-Ncube stated.
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