In the pursuit of making travel accessible for everyone, Disability Aviation and Maritime has emerged as a global leader in advocating for the rights of travellers with disabilities. I sat down with founders Charlie Morton, and Martin Powell, to discuss their journey behind the organisation, and what so urgently needs to change within the industry.
Inspiration Behind Disability Aviation and Maritime
Elpida: What inspired you to start Disability Aviation and Maritime?
Charlie: It all began with a personal experience when my wheelchair was damaged by an airline during a trip to Barcelona. While there, I realized that the aviation industry, particularly with ground handlers and passenger assistants, needed significant changes in how they handled passengers with disabilities. I noticed that 80% of people with disabilities don’t fly due to concerns about travel and how their mobility equipment is handled. I posted about this on LinkedIn, and Martin reached out. Together, we founded Disability Aviation to advocate for travelers like me. Then, after a series of disappointing experiences on a cruise, I reached out to Martin again to suggest we also focus on the maritime industry. That’s how we expanded our mission to both aviation and maritime travel.
Elpida: How did you and Martin meet?
Charlie: It was through LinkedIn. I posted my experience about the airline mishandling my wheelchair, and Martin, who has extensive experience in aviation, reached out. He immediately saw the potential to create systemic change in both the aviation and maritime industries, and we’ve been working together ever since.
Overcoming Challenges in Accessible Travel
Elpida: What challenges did you face when starting the company?
Martin: One of the biggest challenges was establishing credibility in the industry. The concept of a company focused entirely on improving accessibility was new, and people were initially skeptical. However, with my 30 years of experience in aviation, I was able to open doors and bring credibility to the cause. Charlie’s drive was the real force behind our growth, though. We had to overcome many obstacles, but the response from the industry has been encouraging, and we’ve managed to build a solid foundation since then.
Charlie: Absolutely. In the beginning, I had to fight against the perception that people with disabilities are not a significant portion of the travel market. But as we started getting results and seeing positive changes, it became clear that the demand for accessible travel is huge.
Expanding the Mission: From Aviation to Maritime
Elpida: How has the scope of your project evolved over time?
Charlie: It’s grown a lot! Initially, we focused solely on aviation, but after my own challenges on a cruise, I suggested we expand our work to include the maritime industry. The response has been incredible. We’ve helped airlines, airports, and cruise lines improve their accessibility features, and we’ve now built a network of 150 consultants with disabilities who help us understand real-world challenges.
Martin: We’re now in a position where we’re not just providing advice to airlines but also working with them on policy development, training, and improvements in passenger assistance. Our work has expanded globally, and we’re working with key industry players to make long-term changes that affect disabled travelers worldwide.
Key Accomplishments and Industry Impact
Elpida: What are some of your biggest accomplishments so far?
Charlie: One major accomplishment has been working with airlines and airports to create meaningful changes. For example, at one airport, my motorised wheelchair wasn’t accommodated, so we pushed for new policies to fix that issue. We’ve also worked with over 100 airlines to improve training and policies related to accessibility. Additionally, we’ve seen cruise lines start to rethink their approach to accommodating travelers with disabilities.
Martin: From an industry perspective, gaining the trust of major airlines and airports has been a huge accomplishment. We’re now working at an executive level with these companies, and they’re actively seeking our guidance. We’re also seeing more cruise lines take action, so the impact is really beginning to be felt across the industry.
Raising Awareness and Changing Perceptions
Elpida: How have you been able to change perceptions about accessible travel?
Charlie: One of the key ways we’ve raised awareness is by talking about the personal experiences of disabled travelers. For example, I often ask people, “Would you let me break your legs?” to highlight how important it is to treat mobility devices with care. Our goal is to help people understand that these are not just pieces of equipment but extensions of a person’s body, and mishandling them can have serious consequences. We also advocate for better communication and empathy in the industry.
Martin: We’ve also worked on creating training programs that emphasize the dignity and respect that all passengers deserve. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about changing the mindset of everyone involved in the travel process, from ground staff to executives. The more people understand the challenges faced by travelers with disabilities, the more likely they are to be proactive about making travel easier.
Success Stories: Building Confidence in Travelers
Elpida: Can you share any success stories of passengers who have gained confidence to travel due to your work?
Charlie: We’ve had many success stories, and it’s incredibly rewarding. One particularly memorable story was with a major airport that didn’t have the proper facilities for my motorised scooter. After we got involved, they made necessary adjustments, and it became much easier for me and others to get through the airport. We’ve seen these kinds of positive changes across numerous airports and airlines, and every time a passenger tells us how our work helped them, it reinforces why we do what we do.
Martin: We’ve also seen cruise lines make adjustments after working with us. People with hidden disabilities, such as autism, often feel hesitant to travel. But we’ve implemented programs like experience days where they can familiarize themselves with the airport or cruise process before traveling. That’s been especially important in helping people feel confident and empowered.
Looking Ahead: Goals and Future Vision
Elpida: What are your main goals by the end of the year?
Charlie: Our goal is to get more contracts signed with airlines, airports, and cruise lines. We want to see more systemic changes being made and more accessible services being implemented globally. We’re also focused on rolling out new training programs and policy guides that will help companies make meaningful improvements by 2025.
Martin: We’re also focused on hidden disabilities, like autism and other cognitive conditions. We’re working on introducing experience days, where passengers can go through the whole process of air travel or cruising before they actually take a trip. That way, they can feel more comfortable and prepared. And we’re working on a documentary to raise awareness about these issues and make accessibility more visible to the public.
The Future of Disability Aviation and Maritime
Elpida: How do you see the future of Disability Aviation and Maritime?
Charlie: The future is incredibly exciting. While we’ve made significant progress, there’s still so much work to be done. We plan to continue growing, bringing on more partners, and working to create systemic changes that will benefit all travelers, regardless of disability. The goal is to create an inclusive travel environment where everyone can move freely and without fear.
Elpida: What message do you hope to convey to the public about accessible travel?
Charlie: I want people to understand that we are human beings with the same rights to travel as anyone else. It’s not just about access; it’s about dignity and respect. Disabled travelers shouldn’t have to fight for their right to move freely. The more people understand this, the more the world will become a truly inclusive place for everyone.
Martin: Exactly. Everyone deserves the opportunity to travel. That’s the message we want to send out loud and clear, and we’re committed to making that a reality.
I’d like to thank Charlie and Martin for their time to sit down and discuss this topic with me. As Disability Aviation and Maritime moves forward with its mission one question remains: What can we do to embrace inclusivity and make accessible travel the standard globally? Have you had your own travel experiences – positive or negative – please share them with us in the comments below. If you’d like to get in touch with Disability Aviation and Maritime you can do so at: info@disability-aviation.aero
