Ensuring your business travel programme caters to the needs of travellers with disabilities is not just good practice as part of your D&I Policy, it’s a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010. A well-crafted travel policy that caters for accessibility fosters a more engaged and productive workforce by helping remove travel barriers for employees with disabilities.
An inclusive travel policy ensures that everyone can participate in business travel, regardless of their background, abilities, or identity. Imagine a company sending a team to Japan to negotiate a deal. An employee who uses a wheelchair might be hesitant to travel due to concerns about accessible transportation and accommodations. An inclusive policy ensures their needs are met, allowing them to contribute their expertise to the negotiation. This fosters a more diverse and talented team, bringing a wider range of experiences and viewpoints to the table. This, in turn, can lead to a more creative and successful negotiation, benefiting the company significantly.
Accessibility Challenges
Here in the UK, initiatives like the Department for Transport’s Inclusive Transport Strategy and Passenger Assist scheme demonstrate a commitment to improving accessibility across all travel modes. Airlines are also taking action, with British Airways providing a dedicated accessibility solution and EasyJet offering a comprehensive accessibility guide. Virgin Atlantic’s Hidden Disabilities Assistance Scheme caters to passengers with non-visible disabilities, further highlighting the industry’s focus on inclusive travel experiences.
However, there is no turnkey solution to some of the challenges faced when travelling with a disability. Inaccessible booking tools and a lack of transparency regarding the availability of accessible features as a recent news article from the BBC highlights the challenges a GB Paralympian swimmer faces due to inaccessible hotel accommodations due to a broken lift. The incident was unfortunate as the property had accessible rooms on the ground floor but the standard rooms suited the swimmer’s needs better. The problem was, her father said, that he had no means of booking a standard room instead on the ground floor. This incident underscores the importance of prioritising accessibility in your company’s travel policy.
Key Considerations for an Inclusive Travel Policy
As a travel manager, you can play a pivotal role in driving positive change and ensure that your travel policy addresses the needs of the disabled whilst meeting the D&I requirements of your business. Here are some key considerations for thought:
- Accessibility from the Start: Integrate accessibility into every stage of the travel journey, from trip planning and booking to in-flight and ground transportation.
- Leveraging Technology: Champion the adoption of accessible booking tools that allow employees with disabilities to independently reserve flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.
- Understanding Traveller Needs: Work closely with business travellers to understand their specific accessibility requirements and ensure they are documented in booking systems.
- Transparency is Key: Ensure clear and up-to-date information on accessible features is readily available, empowering employees to make informed travel decisions.
- Collaboration is Critical: Work closely with travel management companies and preferred vendors to ensure they prioritise accessibility compliance.
- Empathy: Travelling regularly is stressful, and can have longer-term health impacts for disabled and able-bodied employees alike. Fatigue from crossing time zones, poor sleep quality, diet and being away from family and friends all take their toll on top of the potential anxiety around specific requirements being catered to.
By prioritising accessibility and welfare in your travel policy, which can neatly dovetail into your D&I policy and make a positive impact, while fostering a more positive travel experience for all employees, making business travel a truly inclusive experience for everyone.
We would love to speak to you some more about how we could help you optimise your travel program, please get in touch with our Team via email at [email protected] or phone 01730 711910.
