Air Canada Airbus A-380
The current touchscreen systems built into aircraft in their fleet prevent users with visual impairment from navigating menus or browsing the available channels. To overcome this, Air Canada has adapted the current system to make it accessible. The adaptation features a hand-held remote control, as well as audio functions that can be enabled through the touchscreen.
Accessible in-flight entertainment is rapidly becoming a mandatory part of air travel. The US Department of Transport has established the Accessible Air Transportation (ACCESS) Advisory Committee, to propose amendments to the Department’s disability regulations under the Air Carrier Access Act, which would apply to all aircraft flying into and out of the US. The size of the US market means that accessible inflight entertainment systems would become industry-standard equipment worldwide in the near future.
Airline travellers have become increasingly vocal about accessibility options, and providers are now becoming more responsive to their concerns.
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