Disabled passengers using prosthetic limbs, crutches or wheelchairs, often find security checks at Indian airports very disconcerting, but a move to change all that may be in the offing. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has called for a meeting on August 6 with representatives of organizations working for the rights of disabled, to discuss issues involving security checks of such passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also reviewing a proposal sent by an organization working on law and policy changes for the disabled, said officials.

Frequent scraps are reported at airports over disabled passengers being asked to remove prosthetic limbs and security requirements are often pitched against the need for sensitivity. But last month after media professional Suranjana Ghosh protested against a security personnel's demand to remove her prosthetic leg at Mumbai airport, the incident provoked a dialogue on procedures for the disabled.

A BCAS circular of 1993, now followed by security officials, states that the possibility of carrying weapons or explosives and other dangerous materials through disabled passengers is higher compared to others. The circular also refers to an incident in 1993 when a passenger using crutches smuggled two weapons on board and hijacked a flight. In a report on Ghosh's incident, the CISF notified the security headquarters in Delhi that they only followed the circular. "The circular states that checking should be thorough and the in-charge should be satisfied the passenger can be cleared to board," said a senior CISF official. "We know it is inconveniencing, but at the same time we have separate enclosures where passengers can peacefully remove the prosthetics if needed and can be assisted as well," he added.

Security officials said sophisticated prosthetics are tough to screen. "Even explosive trace detectors cannot properly gauge the presence of explosives due to intricate metal edifice of prosthetics and wheel-chairs. Apart from metal weapons, we also have to look for ceramic weapons. This is why we insist prosthetic and wheelchairs be scanned separately," said an official at Mumbai airport. Officials said even airports in the USA do not exempt persons with disability from removal or thorough checks of prosthetics. Only, this is done with more discretion and when necessary. The staff also use pat-down checks and manual checks of prosthetic limbs and wheel-chairs.

While security is a concern, the security personnel can scan passengers with more expertise and sensitivity, feel experts. Amba Salelkar from Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability, Law and Policy said security staff should be trained to handle passengers with disability and body scanners should be brought in to give them an option to walk through security screenings. "No one says that prosthetic limbs should not be checked. But people should be made comfortable. They should be given private and peaceful space where they can remove the prosthetic, if neededThere should be dedicated personnel to help disabled passengers through the security checks," said Salelkar. She said with the DGCA and BCAS opening up to the other side, there is hope for change. Inclusive Planet sent a proposal to the DGCA on July 31 suggesting measures for disabled-friendly air travel.

P Mohanan, former BCAS deputy regional commissioner, suggested security officials can rely more on profiling techniques. "When it comes to metal implants, security relies on profiling and doctor's certificates. Why can't the same be done for people with disability?" said Mohanan.

Source: Times of India