Accessibility on a plane can be a difficult thing, with those who have hearing or sight impediments – and there has been a is a welcome trend towards accessibility (one need only look as far as BlueBox Aviation’s accessible IFE system and the win by United Airlines for the Crystal Cabin Award in IFEC this year for their “IFE for all” System).
ATR Aircraft are taking a stand on too – with some impressive accessibility ideas.
Let’s start with seats and the NeoClassic/Neo Prestige. Whilst these seats are flying now. they feature an eLeather option, but also a slightly flatter surface.
ATR NeoPrestige
ATR NeoClassic
This helps less able passengers to slide and sit in a window or aisle seat without much trouble (after raising the armrest).
But once in the seat, there are accessibility issues for those who visual impairment, or hearing impairment. Here, ATR has two innovations too.
In terms of visual impairments, the implementation of Braille on seat monuments and safety cards.
ATR72 safety card.
It’s a simple thing, but why has no-one done this before?
For those that have a hearing impairment, ATR announced its Audio Loop system called Audioback – a hearing aid loop designed to capture any audio input, such as inflight announcements, and send it to the passengers’ hearing aids equipped with a Telecoil, via a magnetic field signal.
ATR AudioLoop with a T symbol.
Audioback is an innovation that will help improve the onboard experience of hard of hearing travellers and the airlines’ responses to their specific needs.
Feedback from airlines has been positive so far, and can only be a boon to passengers on an aircraft.
Improving accessibility
As regulations tighten across the world in accessibility all industries have to respond (rail is a prime example – who are trying to meet the PRM-TSI standard by 2020)
Seeing ATR take the first steps in improving accessibility on its products is something to be congratulated and promoted.
And in turn, make other airlines and airframers consider their accessibility requirements.
Kevin was a guest of ATR at their stand at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2019
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