“Communication can be a real barrier, and we just want to be understood,” shared Keetia Toakarawa, a traveller and President of the Kiribati Deaf Association.
Speaking at the Aviation Inclusion talanoa (dialogue) during the Pacific Disability Forum’s Pacific Disability Dialogue in Nadi, Fiji, Keetia highlighted the challenges deaf passengers face when navigating airport signage and announcements.
“My personal experience is that information at airports for persons with disabilities can be confusing. Wording and directions are often not deaf-friendly, making it difficult for us to communicate effectively. Deaf people travel frequently, sometimes with interpreters, sometimes alone. Sign language is our primary means of communication, so it would be best if airport staff could learn basic sign language”
Keetia’s story was one of many first-hand experiences conveyed at the talanoa, an important panel discussion facilitated by P4A, for Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and stakeholders such as Fiji Airports to discuss both challenges and solutions for making Pacific aviation systems more safe, reliable and accessible for all.
Ongoing challenges for persons with disabilities reported by the OPDs include signage and wayfinding, mobility and assistive device handling, and inaccessible drop-off points and infrastructure at airports. Participants shared collaborative solutions for bridging these gaps, including accessible design, adoption by Pacific airports of sunflower lanyards for hidden disabilities and more inclusive communication, customer service and deeper disability awareness.
Pacific Talanoa like this are crucial for P4A and our aviation partners, ensuring that inclusive perspectives are heard and integrated into aviation solutions.
As aviation remains a key connector across the region, P4A, with Australia’s support, continues to partner with OPDs and to connect these key stakeholders to our aviation partners for a more accessible Pacific aviation sector. We are thankful for Pacific Disability Forum and Fiji Airports for this collaboration.
