(TAN): United Airlines has become the first US airline to incorporate Braille into its aircraft interiors, providing assistance to millions of travellers with visual disabilities in navigating the cabin independently, the airline said in a statement. According to the US Department of Transportation, approximately 27 million people with disabilities travelled by air in 2019.
Around a dozen aircraft in United’s fleet have been equipped with Braille markings for individual rows, seat numbers, as well as inside and outside the lavatories. United aims to extend this initiative to its entire mainline fleet by the end of 2026.
Linda Jojo, executive vice president and chief customer officer for United, said: “Finding your seat on a plane or getting to the restroom is something most of us take for granted, but for millions of our customers, it can be a challenge to do independently. By adding more tactile signage throughout our interiors, we’re making the flying experience more inclusive and accessible, and that’s good for everyone.”
In addition to introducing Braille, United is actively collaborating with renowned disability advocacy groups such as the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the American Council of the Blind (ACB) to explore the implementation of other tactile navigational aids within the cabin, including raised letters, numbers, and arrows.
NFB President Mark Riccobono said: “We applaud United for taking an important step toward making its aircraft more accessible to blind passengers…. We hope to continue working with United to explore additional ways to make flying more accessible and less stressful for blind passengers.”
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ACB Interim Executive Director Dan Spoone expressed appreciation for United’s dedication to creating an accessible airline passenger experience through Braille signage and encouraged other airlines to follow suit, stating, “We encourage all airlines to follow United’s lead in making air travel more inclusive for the blind and low vision community.”
