time , place or individuals , but provides useful information when starting to plan a journey .
The website also has five flight guide videos showing individuals ’ journeys through an airport and describing their personal flying experiences , each with different disabilities : as a powered wheelchair user ; with dementia ; dysphagia ; a stoma ; and autism .
These provide invaluable visual information and first-person experience of how to approach flying with each disability .
Consultations and assessments
Consultations can be arranged remotely , either by phone or video call , to provide a flexible service that is more accessible and available across the country . The consultation is a ‘ door to door talk through ’ of the flying experience , starting with leaving your home and how to get to the airport , services you can request and expect , and also problem-solving areas where we know the passenger might have difficulty .
Areas covered in the consultation include booking a flight , arriving at the airport , baggage , navigating security , boarding the aircraft , wheelchairs and mobility aids , medication , oxygen , feeding , continence and connecting flights .
All items discussed , as well as individual recommendations , are summarised in a report after the consultation .
An in-person cabin assessment is conducted by a clinician , based around three principles within an aircraft cabin : posture and seating ; mobility ; and transfers ( between seating ).
The passenger is given an opportunity to discuss how they will access and move around the cabin , including a demonstration of equipment commonly used , and how they will access their seating .
Passengers also get the opportunity to try the different types of postural supports that QEF has to offer in aircraft seats and may have the opportunity to try some of their own equipment .
Posture and mobility equipment in flight is always at the discretion of the airline , as they have strict regulations that they need to adhere to . It is therefore imperative to trial different equipment solutions to ensure the passenger knows their optimal set up , along with alternative options should they not be able to use their first choice .
Details of the assessment outcome are included in a report , which is provided to the passenger after assessment .
One client said of the process : ‘ As parents of a child who has additional needs , air travel can be very daunting . Every part of our assessment was extremely helpful , including tips to finding the right support for our daughter . The wealth of knowledge and experience of the team was more than we could have asked for . To now be able to fly confidently , with all of the extra worries and concerns that come with our amazing daughter , is truly a gift ...’
Equipment Hire
Hiring equipment to use on an aircraft is often the most cost-effective solution for passengers and their families . Some people ’ s disabilities can change over time and children will grow out of equipment , which means that hiring equipment can be a better financial option .
QEF ’ s Tryb4uFly team can courier hired equipment within the UK and , with enough planning , will deliver and collect it a few days either side of the passenger ’ s flights , to ensure peace of mind .
Another client fed back : ‘[ The Tryb4uFly team provided ] speed and flexibility of equipment hire , plus the excellent staff explained the hiring process so clearly .’
Training
A two-day training course has been developed by QEF Tryb4uFly , in collaboration with British Airways , focusing on the cabin experience and the airport experience .
The training is aimed at airline and travel professionals and clinicians , to improve their awareness of the challenges disabled passengers face and how to assist them to make the experience as smooth as possible .
Feedback on the courses has been good , including : ‘ Brilliant , very informative , detailed and well thought out .’ And : ‘ I already had quite a good knowledge , but now it has all been re-enforced , having been able to walk the trail myself .’
Words KATE EL BIZANTI , Tryb4uFly Clinical Lead , and LYNNE HILLS , Occupational Therapist , Queen Elizabeth Foundation . For more information visit bit . ly / 42iYGeV or email mobility @ qef . org . uk .
Above : Inside QEF ’ s mock aircraft cabin , where people can ‘ try out ’ flying
June 2023 OTnews 15