Non-discrimination on the
Basis of Disability in Air Travel:
Screening Guidelines to be followed by
CISF Security Staff
For Passengers with Disabilities at Indian
Airports
Compiled by:
Rajesh Bhatia, Shivani Gupta, Smiti Bhatia and Suranjana Ghosh Aikara
June 2014
Approximately 70 million people in India have a disability.
India ratified CPRD
(Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) in 2007
to recognise and protect the rights and dignity of Persons of Disabilities,
oppose discrimination against them and uphold their freedom
to make their own choices.
On average, 1 out of every 10 travellers has
some level of disability,
which also includes the elderly and injured.
An airport can be a stressful environment and poses challenges for all
travellers.
Imagine encountering those challenges with a DISABILITY.
Now, imagine how you can help alleviate those challenges.
Be kind, courteous and knowledgeable
to ensure that passengers with
disabilities have a positive experience at
the airport security screening.
The key to providing exemplary service is knowing how to
effectively interact with people with disabilities.
Let us learn how.
Content and Objectives of this Presentation
Content:
• Screening Dos and Don’ts for the passengers with disabilities,
at airports in India.
Objectives:
• Train CISF staff in charge of airport security screening, with
appropriate protocol for screening passengers with disabilities
satisfactorily, without compromising dignity of people with
disabilities.
Consider, Remember and Practice
Treat passengers with disabilities in a pleasant, helpful & respectful manner.
Pay emphasis and attention on the person, not the disability.
•
Behaviour and Attitude:
– Show respect for the individual
– Be kind and courteous
– Speak directly to the person,
not their companion
– Be Patient and Calm
– Do not ask any personal
questions
– Do not make any disgraceful /
humiliating comments
•
Assistance:
– Offer to help and request
permission before assisting
– Listen and follow directions
– Bring passenger to the front of
the line
– Respect passenger’s mobility
equipment and handle with
care
Screening Techniques for different catogories:
Persons with disabilities may include:
1. Mobility Impairment
a.
b.
use wheelchair or scooters, have metal joint implants, wear cast,
brace or other support
Persons with Prosthetic limbs
2. Intellectual Disabilities
3. Developmental Disabilities
4. Blind or Low Vision
5. Deaf or Hard of Hearing
6. Persons with Deafblindness
7. Speech impaired
Children with Disabilities
Persons with Medical needs
1a. Mobility Impairment
Passengers with Mobility Impairment may:
• Use Wheelchair or Scooters
• Use Mobility Devices like canes, crutches or braces
• Have Metal Joint Implants, like artificial knees or hips
• Have a Cast, Brace or Support Appliance
• Have Difficulty Walking or Standing
• Cannot Remove Shoes
Screening Passengers with Mobility Impairment
Dos
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use
ETD
to
screen
passenger’s
wheelchair/scooter. Removable items need Xray screening.
Screen passengers with thorough pat-down.
Conduct screening in private area, with CISF
officer of same gender as passenger, with a
companion of passenger’s choice (if
requested).
The passenger’s walker, crutch, cane, or other
assistive mobility device must undergo X-ray
screening, unless it cannot fit through the Xray. If an item cannot fit in the X-ray, or the
passenger cannot be separated from the item,
it must be inspected with ETD.
Use ETD to screen passengers who cannot
remove shoes and have metal joint implants.
Passengers with cast, brace or calipers or
supportive appliances should be screened
without removing them with a thorough pat
down process and ETD.
Don’ts
•
•
•
Do not force wheel chair users to stand from
their wheel chairs.
Do not attempt to manually lift the wheel chair
user as this is against his/her dignity and most
of all it jeopardizes his/her safety.
Under no circumstances should the passenger
be asked to remove cast, brace, calipers, metal
implants or supportive alliances and shoes if
the passenger cannot remove shoes.
Common Types of Wheelchairs
Manual Wheelchair
Motorized Wheelchair
Motorized Scooter
Common Types of Braces, Callipers and Casts
Arm brace
Calliper
Leg brace
Arm cast
Common Types of Mobility Devices
Shoulder Crutches
Elbow Crutches
Walker
Cane for Visually Impaired
1b. Prosthetic Limbs
Prosthetic limbs are mechanical devices worn by amputees. They can be worn
above knee, below knee, on the elbow or shoulder, depending on the nature
of amputation.
Parts of a prosthetic limb:
• Pylon - internal frame or skeleton of the prosthetic limb. Provides
structural support and formed of metal rods or lighter carbon-fibre
composites.
• Foam cover - Pylons are enclosed with a foam-like material, shaped and
coloured to match the person’s skin tone to make the prosthetic limb look
lifelike.
• Socket - the portion of the prosthetic device where the amputee’s limb
stump is fitted in.
• Advanced prosthetic limbs can be equipped with a microprocessor
(computer chip) and sensors. They may have a power charging point.
Different Types of Prosthetic Limbs
Below knee
prosthetic limb with and
without foam cover
Above knee
amputee
without prosthesis
Above knee amputee
with prosthesis
and foam cover
Above knee
prosthetic limb
without foam cover
Prosthetic arm
Screening Passengers with Prosthetic Devices
Dos
•
•
•
•
•
•
Passengers should be screened without
removing prosthetic limbs, with Explosive
Trace Detectors (ETD).
Physical pat-down to be done by officer of
passenger’s gender to resolve any alarms of
ETD.
The passenger can request a private screening
at any time and a private screening should be
offered when the officer must pat-down
sensitive areas.
During a private screening, another CISF
employee of the passenger’s gender must also
be present and the passenger may be
accompanied by a companion of his or her
choosing.
Provide the passenger with a chair if he or she
needs to sit down.
Ask the passenger before the pat-down begins,
about any difficulty in raising his or her arms,
remaining in the position required for a patdown, or any areas of the body that are painful
when touched.
Don’ts
•
•
•
•
Do not ask the passenger to remove his/her
prosthesis.
Do not ask the passenger to strip to remove
prosthesis.
Do not make a passenger remove or lift any
article of clothing that may compromise their
modesty.
Under no circumstances should the passenger's
prosthesis be put through X-Ray machine.
2. Intellectual Disabilities
Screening Method
Etiquette
•
•
•
•
•
•
Screen along with passenger’s travelling
companions, if required
Allow passenger or travelling
companions to offer suggestions on the
best way to approach and screen the
passenger, especially if it is necessary to
touch during screening.
Offer to screen passenger using walkthrough metal detectors.
If passenger declines this option, then
screen using a thorough pat down
process instead.
Tell the passenger exactly what is going
to happen. Eg “I will have to pat you
along your arms, your body, and legs. I
will also use this (ETD) to pat you
down”.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Speak directly to the passenger when
making a request or giving an
instruction, eg “Lift your arms” etc.
Passenger might need a minute or so to
process information and allow the
screening. Wait. A moments patience
will enable successful screening.
Use short sentences giving one piece of
information at one time.
Be prepared to repeat or rephrase the
information
Act naturally and maintain eye contact
Do not be confrontational or frighten
the individual.
Focus on the person – not the disability.
3. Developmental Disabilities
Screening Method
Etiquette
•
•
•
•
•
•
Passengers with developmental disabilities
may experience impaired cognition, mobility
and/or sensory deficit. They must be
screened without being separated from their
traveling companions.
If the passenger uses a wheelchair follow
direction provided in the slide on screening
passengers with mobility impairments
Allow passenger or travelling companions to
offer suggestions on the best way to
approach and screen the passenger,
especially if it is necessary to touch during
screening.
Offer to screen passenger using walk-through
metal detectors.
If passenger declines this option, then
screen using a thorough pat down process
instead.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Speak directly to the passenger when making
a request or giving an instruction, eg “Lift
your arms” etc. The passenger might seem
unfocussed, looking away, and not listening
to at all. She/he might just have difficulty in
looking at you. The does not mean she/he is
not listening.
Passenger might need a minute or so to
process information and allow the screening.
Wait. A moments patience will enable
successful screening.
Use short sentences giving one piece of
information at one time.
Be prepared to repeat or rephrase the
information
Act naturally and maintain eye contact.
Do not be confrontational or frighten the
individual.
Focus on the person – not the disability.
4. Blind or Low Vision
Screening Method
Etiquette
•
•
•
•
•
Screen passenger using ETD and a
thorough pat-down.
Canes and other devices like Braille note
takers may undergo X-ray screening.
If an item doesn’t fit in the X-ray, or the
passenger cannot be separated from the
item, it should be inspected with ETD.
CISF staff to ask passenger if he/she needs
to be immediately reunited with the
device after X-ray screening.
•
•
•
•
Introduce yourself as a CISF officer and
give your name.
Don’t touch the person without asking
permission.
Don’t engage with a guide dog without
permission.
Be specific when giving directions.
To act as a Human Guide, offer your elbow
for the person to take.
5. Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Screening Method
Etiquette
•
•
•
•
•
Ask the passengers about the type of
assistance needed or technology used,
e.g. hearing aids or cochlear implants,
before screening begins.
Screen passengers by walk-through metal
detectors. If a passenger is unable to,
conduct a pat-down.
Do not remove hearing aids or cochlear
implant.
Do additional screening only if it alarms
walk-through metal detector or looks
unusual in imaging technology.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get the person’s attention. You can wave or
touch the person on the shoulder or back of the
arm.
Have a pen and paper handy.
Speak directly to the person, clearly and at a
normal speed. Be patient.
If you need to speak loudly, do so for the entire
conversation. Avoid sounding harsh.
Provide a clear view of your face while speaking
to enable passenger to lip read.
Do not eat or chew while speaking
If a particular word is not understood, try to
substitute that word with another word.
6. Persons with Deafblindness
Screening Method
Etiquette
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ask the passengers about the type of
assistance needed or technology used,
e.g. hearing aids or cochlear implants,
before screening begins.
Screen passengers by walk-through metal
detectors. If unable to, conduct a patdown.
Do not remove hearing aids or cochlear
implant.
White Canes and other devices like Braille
note takers may undergo X-ray screening.
If an item doesn’t fit in the X-ray, or the
passenger cannot be separated from the
item, it should be inspected with ETD.
CISF staff to ask passenger if he/she needs
to be immediately reunited with the
device after X-ray screening
•
•
•
•
Get the person’s attention. touch the
person on the shoulder or back of the
arm.
Communicate by spelling the alphabets on
the passengers palm and offer your palm
for response (Tactile sign).
Do not touch the passenger or hand
something to them without prior
explanation.
Guide the passenger’s hand to objects by
letting their hand rest lightly on the back
of yours.
Do not leave without letting the
passenger know by touch or by signal,
even for short periods.
7. Speech Impairments
Screening Method
Etiquette
•
•
•
Screen passengers by a walk-through
metal detector and ETD.
If unable to be screened by a walkthrough metal detector, do a thorough
pat- down.
•
•
•
•
•
Listen, but if you have difficulty
understanding, don’t pretend you
understand. Be patient.
Repeat what you do understand for
confirmation.
Ask person to spell, rephrase or write
down the information. Have pen and
paper handy.
If possible, ask questions that require
short answers or a nod or shake of the
head.
Maintain eye contact.
Move to a quieter location if necessary or
possible.
Children with Disabilities
Screening Method
Etiquette
•
•
•
•
•
Do not remove the child from
his/her mobility aid (wheelchair or
scooter).
The parent/guardian should be
responsible for removing child from
equipment, at parent's/guardian's
discretion, to accomplish screening.
If the child is unable to walk or stand,
the Security Officer should conduct a
pat-down search of the child while
he/she remains in their mobility aid,
as well as a visual and physical
inspection of their equipment.
Parent/guardian to remain with child
at all times, and can ask for the child
to be screened in private.
•
•
Ensure Parent/Guardian informs the
CISF Officer if the child has a
disability, medical condition or
medical devices, and if they think the
child may become upset during the
screening process.
Welcome
suggestions
from
parent/guardian on how to best
accomplish the screening process and
minimize any confusion for the child.
Ask Parent/Guardian what the child's
abilities are. E.g.: whether the child
can walk through the metal detector
or can be carried through the metal
detector by the parent/guardian.
PASSENGERS WITH MEDICAL NEEDS
Passengers with Bandages and Dressings
Screening Method
Etiquette
• If a passenger has dressings or
bandages used to cover wounds
from an injury or surgical
procedure, he or she should
inform the CISF officer of the
location of the dressings and/or
bandages and of any need for
assistance
before
screening
begins.
• Passengers with dressings or
bandages can be screened using
walk through metal, detector,
ETD or a thorough pat down.
• Do not disturb the patient’s
bandages and dressings that may
cause injury or inconvenience to
the passenger.
Screening Techniques for Travellers with Medical Conditions:
1. Have Internal Medical
Devices
2. Need Medication
3. Have Medically Necessary
Liquids
4. Have Medically Necessary
Radioactive Substances
5. Use Portable Oxygen and
have CPAPs, BiPAPs, and
APAPs (Respiratory
Machines)
6. Use Nebulisers (a drug
delivery device used to
administer medication in
the form of a mist inhaled
into the lungs.)
7. Have Diabetes
8. Have Ostomies
9. Are Breast Cancer
Survivors
10. Have Difficulty Waiting in
Line
1. Internal Medical Devices
Passengers with internal medical devices (pacemaker or
defibrillator) to inform the screening officer before screening
begins.
Dos
• Screen passengers with a pat-down
process.
Don'ts
• Do not screen with a metal detector as it can hamper the
internal device.
2. Medication
• Allow medications in pill OR other solid form through security
screening checkpoints in unlimited amounts, but after
screening.
• Passengers to inform officers and separate medication from
baggage before screening.
• Screen with X-ray and/or ETD.
• If a passenger does not want a medication X-rayed, they can
request CISF staff for an inspection prior to screening.
3. Medically Necessary Liquids
• Categories:
– Liquids, gels, aerosols
– Bags, pumps , syringes
– Freezer packs or frozen
gel packs
– Baby formula and food,
breast
milk
and
medications
• Screening Method:
– X-ray (additional
screening for items in
excess of 3.4 ounces)
– X-ray or inspection
– X-ray and additional
screening
– Permit in excess of 3.4
ounces in reasonable
quantities for flight
4. Medically Necessary Radio-active Substances
• Screen passengers with pat-down process or a walk-through
metal detector.
• If a passenger has radioactive medication, it should be
permitted through a screening checkpoint once screened.
5.Portable Oxygen and Passengers with CPAPs, BiPAPs, APAPs
(Respiratory Equipment)
• Passenger must inform the screening officer if Oxygen can be
disconnected before the screening process begins.
• Passengers who can disconnect must be screened with ETD or
pat-down.
• If the passenger’s respiratory equipment cannot be
disconnected, it should be tested for traces of explosives. If
explosive material is detected, additional screening is needed.
• Screen all CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs with X-ray. If the X-ray
cannot see through all parts of the CPAP, BiPAP, or APAP,
additional screening by X-ray or other methods is needed.
• Passengers must remove CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs from its
carrying case, but facemasks and tubing can remain in the
case.
6. Nebulisers
These are devices used to administer medication in the form of a mist
inhaled into the lungs.
• Screen Nebulisers by x-ray.
• Passengers must remove the Nebuliser from its carrying case; facemasks
and tubing may remain in the case.
• Nebuliser to be placed in a clear plastic bag during x-ray screening;
• Screening officer may need to remove it from the bag to test for traces of
explosives.
7. Diabetes
• Screen passengers using insulin pumps without disconnecting from the
pump.
• Do thorough pat down followed by ETD sampling of the hands.
• The passenger’s insulin pump can be subject to additional screening.
• Diabetes-related supplies, equipment, and medication, including liquids,
to be screened by X-ray or hand inspection.
• Accessories required to keep medically necessary liquids, gels, and
aerosols cool – such as freezer packs or frozen gel packs are subject to
additional screening.
• Liquids, gels, and aerosols to be screened by X-ray and medically
necessary items in excess of 3.4 ounces to undergo additional screening.
8. Ostomies
Ostomy is a Surgical procedure that creates an
artificial opening for the elimination of bodily
wastes.
• Screen passenger using ostomy without having to empty or expose it.
Passengers MUST inform screening officer about the ostomy before the
screening begins.
• Screen using metal detector, or a thorough pat-down.
• Passenger’s ostomy can be subject to additional screening. Under most
circumstances, this should include the passenger conducting a self patdown of the ostomy, followed by ETD sampling of the hands.
9. Breast Cancer Survivors
• Security screening to be done through walk-through metal
detectors, ETD or a thorough pat -down procedure.
• Screening officers must accommodate the passenger’s needs
and extend dignified and sensitive treatment.
10. Difficulty Waiting in Line
• Designate separate lanes at screening check points specifically
for passengers with disabilities and medical conditions, senior
citizens and those travelling with young children.
• The passenger should inform the personnel overseeing the
line that he or she may have difficulty standing or waiting in
line due to a disability or medical condition before entering
the line.
• CISF staff must courteously screen such passengers before
they screen others.
THANK YOU
Disclaimer: In order to keep the recommended guidelines in synch with internationally
followed screening practices for People With Disabilities, this document has been put together
with references from the Transportation Security Guidelines of the United States of America
and recommendations from representatives of various constituencies of disabilities in India.