Scopical.com.au
11 Apr 2008
Four deaf passengers traveling aboard Singapore-owned Tiger Airways - which now flies in Australia - say they feel humiliated by requests to not travel on the airline again because of their hearing problem.
News Limited newspapers reported that a group of four Victorians - Adrian and Julie Doyle, along with two friends Steve and Robyn May - were asked when boarded to either purchase a seat of a sign-language translator, or to not fly with Tiger Airways again.
The four say they are humiliated by Tigers requests, and have now launched a discrimination case against the airline.
Adrian Doyle said that it was a humiliating and embarrassing moment for the group.
"The stewardess wrote on a piece of paper to me that we all require a carer on a plane because of our 'deafness', which sure floored me," Mr Doyle said.
"My friends had steam coming out of their ears, and my wife was dumbfounded."
"I then took the paper and wrote that they had insulted us by saying that we require a carer, since we have all travelled a lot, and never encountered any problems with our disabilities."
The airline says it is their policy to require those suffering from such an issue to be accompanied by a carer.
"I am shocked and stunned that Tiger allow themselves to discriminate against deaf people," Mr Doyle said.
The airline has now offered to apologise.
"We are happy to apologise to the people involved for the inconvenience and embarrassment they might have experienced," Tiger's Matt Hobbs said.
However both Qantas-owned Jetstar and Virgin Blue allow deaf passengers to travel unassisted.
http://www.scopical.com.au/articles/News/4398/Deaf-plane-passengers-to-launch-discrimination-case
