Context: Supreme Court issued notice to aviation authorities over alleged systemic accessibility failures affecting persons with disabilities.
Respondents include the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, AAI, CISF and Digi Yatra Foundation.
Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis: rare inherited retinal disorder causing severe visual impairment from early life.
Petition highlights barriers at multiple stages:
Airports: inadequate alternative communication—audio/visual alerts, real-time updates.
Digital services: airline websites/apps often lack screen-reader compatibility and accessible payment systems.
Check-in: inadequate options to specify disability-related assistance.
Aircraft: limited accessibility features for accessing safety information/calling cabin crew.
Assistance: inappropriate or compulsory use of wheelchairs/ambulifts in some cases.
Grievances: lack of dedicated accessibility complaint mechanisms.
Digi Yatra: biometric-enabled, paperless airport processing system based on facial recognition, aimed at seamless passenger movement.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 gives legal recognition to accessibility and non-discrimination; accessibility includes physical environment, transportation, information and communication.
Benchmark disability: generally means not less than 40% of a specified disability, as certified under the RPwD framework.
