Recently it was announced that the next fleet of EasyJet Airbus would feature a more accessible toilet with additional space.

As far as improving accessibility for disabled people this should really be seen as a positive step, but it poses a few interesting questions regarding what should truly be regarded as accessible.

Much of the press has focused on the airline and the role played by their special assistance panel when, in reality, its Airbus the manufacturer of the aircraft who have made the changes, furthermore, Chris Hewitt, head of cabin safety for EasyJet, said that in regards to the process involved with this adaptation that Airbus has designed the aircraft so we “would need to direct this question to them.”

This raises the inevitable question about the role played by the advisory panel in terms of direct influence on the design of the plane. In reality the panel just helped decide whether EasyJet should purchase the A320s – a commercial decision they might have taken anyway as the design offers extra seating - rather than have a greater influence.

We posed this question to EasyJet, and asked whether they thought the changes could be regarded as fully accessible, as the more severely disabled need more specific assistance, Hewitt said: “We see this as an improvement when compared to facilities available on short haul aircraft today. The addition of the transfer seat within the toilet makes the transition from the on-board wheelchair to the toilet easier.

“We have tested the use with a member of ESAAG, our independent special assistance advisory group, who is a wheelchair user. He was impressed with the innovation and was supportive of the change.”

One could interpret this as dismissive of the real point of the question; when asked how a toilet can be deemed fully wheelchair accessible when wheelchairs are not allowed on board, he said: “The toilet is accessible utilising the on-board wheelchair which we have on-board all of our aircraft.”

This is perfect and a great step forward for those able to transfer independently, or with minimal assistance, but what about those with a greater level of immobility and reliance on the assistance of others?

Currently the situation for embarking upon the aircraft involves airport staff assisting disabled people manually, not the airline staff, therefore in-flight this becomes impossibility.

He added: “For individuals who require a greater level of assistance whilst on-board our aircraft we recommend they fly with a companion who is able to provide that specific level of care.”

What this stance seems to ignore is that people with severe disabilities often cannot be transferred with the help of a companion especially without the use of a hoist and as a hoist cannot be used in a confined cabin space it cannot be fully accessible.

It seems unclear as to what adaptations can be regarded as truly ‘accessible’ and it will be interesting to see what other designs may be implemented in the future.

As for any other potential developments in the pipeline, Hewitt said: “We work closely with ESAAG on a range of issues to try and make improvements where we can.”

You can see a video here that explores the adaptation more in-depth.

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