Disabled Women in Africa has condemned Ethiopian Airlines after the carrier refused boarding to Ethel Kachala, a wheelchair user traveling from Kamuzu International Airport to attend a disability conference in Benin. The program manager for the Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi had notified the airline of her accessibility requirements before the scheduled flight, but was barred from boarding due to a policy prohibiting passengers unable to move independently through the cabin without an assistant.
The advocacy organization characterized the incident as discriminatory treatment violating disability rights principles. DIWA is demanding a public apology to Kachala and the broader disability community, financial compensation for emotional harm and professional setbacks, and a comprehensive revision of airline policies and staff training to meet international inclusion standards for travelers with disabilities.
The advocacy organization characterized the incident as discriminatory treatment violating disability rights principles. DIWA is demanding a public apology to Kachala and the broader disability community, financial compensation for emotional harm and professional setbacks, and a comprehensive revision of airline policies and staff training to meet international inclusion standards for travelers with disabilities.
