Airport tour takes the fear out of flying

Catching a flight can be stressful at the best of times but it can be a particular challenge for people with low vision.

Taking the fear out of flying before stepping onto a plane was just one of the aims of a special orientation of Rockhampton’s refurbished airport on December 1, 2011.

A joint initiative between Guide Dogs Queensland (GDQ) and Rockhampton Regional Council, the orientation was the first of its kind in regional Queensland, and involved about ten local people with little or no vision.

The exercise saw the group tour the airport with GDQ and airport employees in a bid to get familiar with the layout, and make the check-in and security process run smoothly.

GDQ’s Rehabilitation Services Manager Bashir Ebrahim OAM said the biggest challenge for people with vision impairment was finding their way through open areas and crowds of people.

“It’s hard to find entry points and check-in areas and given the airport layout has changed, this will be harder for people to get their bearings if they are travelling alone.

“We want people to be able to move safely through security and find the correct boarding area. Our aim is to help people who use a White Cane or Guide Dog check in and board the plane without feeling intimidated or unsafe.”

He said security screening points could be confusing and scary for people with mobility aids as they may not see what was happening, and staff might ask them to hand over their cane.

“Walking through the metal detector without your cane, even if it’s just for a few metres, can be unnerving,” Mr Ebrahim said.

Chair of the Rockhampton Business Enterprise Committee, Councillor Graeme Brady said the tour was a fantastic initiative.

"Air travel can be quite daunting at the best of times, for people who are vision impaired it must be quite distressing when they aren't comfortable and confident in their surroundings," Cr Brady said.

"I hope that through this orientation we can go a long way in providing these air travellers with the independence and confidence to safely manoeuvre their way around and through the airport."

The group also mapped out locations of the shops, baggage collection and taxi rank areas and were given a general tour of the airport and how it operated.