Handbook on disabled-friendly air travel launched; official says rulebook alone is not enough

A new handbook to train aviation staff in assisting passengers with disabilities was launched in New Delhi on 4 November, with a senior official warning that rules alone will not guarantee dignified travel.

The "Sensitization and Training Handbook: Further Advancing the Accessibility of India's Aviation Services" was developed by the Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility, under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It covers the rights and needs of persons with the 21 specified disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, including invisible disabilities, and gives guidance on assistance, safety, communication and spotting barriers.

"The last person" matters

DEPwD Additional Secretary Manmeet Kaur Nanda said: "Merely framing rules, enforcing them or having a handbook will make no difference unless the last person dealing with a passenger with a disability understands and implements what is written in it." She recalled a para-athlete who competed in Egypt with a broken wheelchair after an airline damaged hers, and called for regular induction and refresher training for airlines, airports, ground handlers, security, customs and immigration staff.

She also urged accessibility performance indicators, time-bound grievance redress and dashboards to track airlines and airports, and involving persons with disabilities as trainers.

Others at the launch called for priority help during deplaning as well as boarding, and for staff attitudes and soft skills to match accessible infrastructure.

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Source: official release by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (04 NOV 2026 4:44PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: A Rulebook Alone Cannot Guarantee Dignity; Every Hand in Aviation Must Ensure It: Manmeet Kaur Nanda.