Paw-fect improvements at Perth Airport

30 July, 2021

Two new Service Animal Relief Areas, one in Terminal 1 and one in Terminal 4, are now making it easier for passengers travelling with an assistance animal.

Perth Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer Kate Holsgrove said Perth Airport was committed to making travel more accessible for all passengers and that these new facilities would improve their travel experience significantly.

“We’re continually looking at opportunities to improve access for people travelling with a disability and the new facilities are part of our commitment to making our airport more accessible for all.

“When people with service animals travel, they are obviously keen to ensure that their animal is cared for in the best possible way, whether that be pre or post flight.

“The locations of the new facilities have been chosen to allow quick and easy access, particularly while waiting on baggage or following the check-in process,” Ms Holsgrove said.

Perth Airport’s Access and Inclusion Customer Reference Group has provided valuable feedback and advice on the travel experience and suggested improvements which could be made to infrastructure and operations at Perth Airport.

“The purpose of the Perth Airport Access and Inclusion Customer Reference Group is to advocate for accessibility, discuss barriers to inclusion and improve the customer experience for people with disabilities.

“The group has allowed us to work together to create a more inclusive airport for Western Australia. We thank everyone involved who has helped us with this project, in particular VisAbility, Blind Citizens WA, and People with Disabilities WA.

“We are committed to continuing these consultative forums to discuss the issues and barriers that people with disability experience while travelling,” Ms Holsgrove said.

David Voscanos, Accessibility Specialist at VisAbility, said that the new areas provide passengers with service animals a more private and fit for purpose facility which will improve the travel experience for people with disability.

“It has been great working with the Perth Airport team on this initiative and we look forward to participating in other future projects to improve access for all at our airport,” said Erica Webb from Blind Citizens WA.

Greg Madson from People with Disabilities WA said that the new areas were a great initiative and provide some additional certainty that his service animal Memphis will be more comfortable and happier on his journey when he travels to and from Perth.

Memphis the dog also gave his “woof” of approval today when trialling the new facilities.

In addition to a number of customers, the following organisations are represented on Access and Inclusion Customer Reference Group:

Department of Communities
National Disability Services
Melissa Northcott, Ability Centre Australasia Ltd Board Director
VisAbility
Muscular Dystrophy WA
People With Disabilities (WA)
Blind Citizens WA
Autism WA
Council on the Ageing

The design elements of the new service animal relief areas include:

Wall mounted water bowl
Signage (including braille)
Distress assistance/ cleaning assistance call button connected to the Airport Control Centre
Paper towel dispenser and waste receptacle
Accessible wash basin with shroud and mixer
Wall mounted soap dispenser
Audio instructions activated by a push button
Surface mounted waste receptacle
Wall mounted dog waste bag dispenser
Non-slip, removable astro-turf
Slip resistant floor finish
Retractable wall mounted hose unit.

- ENDS -

MEDIA CONTACT:
Corporate Affairs
Perth Airport
E: [email protected]