Virgin accused of discriminating against disabled passengers
From ABC online
Virgin Blue has faced action in the Federal Court in Sydney today over its policy on disabled passengers.
Wheelchair users Jackie May and Morris Corcoran were told they would have to pay for carers to travel with them, even though both live independently.
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre says it has been contacted by at least 100 other people across the country with similar concerns.
The centre's CEO Robin Banks says Virgin Blue is creating unlawful, discriminatory hurdles for people with disabilities.
"They get taken through a series of questions about can you put on an oxygen mask without assistance, can you put on a life jacket, can you get off the plane without assistance?" she said.
"They're being asked a range of questions that the rest of us don't have to answer and some people don't really know the answer to those questions.
"Until you're in an emergency, I don't think any of us can answer honestly how we're going to respond."
She also says Virgin Blue is making flying costs for disabled passengers too expensive.
The case is due to resume in September.