Tom Morgan, star of the hit TV reality show, The Undateables, is being featured in the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s new programme to assist passengers with hidden disabilities.
Tom, who has Tourette’s, Asperger’s and ADHD, took his first ever long-haul flight with his girlfriend to highlight the steps Virgin has introduced to assist passengers with disabilities such as dementia, autism, anxiety and hearing loss.
His journey is documented in a Youtube video, during which viewers see him getting discreet support from the airline.
Currently, 20% of passengers have a disability and of those, 70% have a disability that is hidden. Virgin claims it is the first airline to announce the official launch of a Hidden Disabilities scheme, which includes extensive training for staff and the introduction of a discreet identifier, such as a passport badge, which alerts the airline to the passenger’s disability.
Virgin said that once it has identified a passenger’s disability, it’s Accessibility team can work with them to accommodate their needs, providing such services as an escort through the airport, priority boarding and reserved seating.
Onboard, inflight entertainment is provided for blind passengers, and staff are trained in sign language.
Last year, the Civil Aviation Authority issued extensive guidance to airlines on ways to ways to accommodate passengers with issues such a mental health impairments and loss of hearing.
