Idaho Falls Regional Airport invites visually impaired to check ADA compliance
Making your way through the airport could sometimes be hectic on its own. On Thursday, the National Federation of the Blind saw what the Idaho Falls Regional Airport is doing to make traveling for the visually impaired a little easier.
“We’re looking for, as far as considerations for the blind, is accessibility to the different areas and maybe the labeling of different gates,” Kevin Pirnie, a member of the NFB Snake River Valley Chapter Member, said.
The NFB chapter toured to see how easy it is for the visually impaired to navigate through the airport and to see how the airport is complying with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).
“And so what we’ve been doing is looking at our facilities and programs to see if we’re meeting ADA needs, and how we can improve in what we’re lacking and try to make a plan moving forward so we can make those corrections and improvements,” Lisa Gardea-Farris, the ADA coordinator of the city of Idaho Falls, said.
The visually impaired, along with airport officials, walked through the airport exchanging questions, concerns, and suggestions. Member Sean Malone was last in this airport about 20 years ago before he lost his sight.
“But for me who can still navigate with a cane, it’s just nice to know what accessibilities they have here to use while we’re waiting — the restrooms — you know, to be able to know where we’re going for sure,” Malone said.
They discussed things like navigating through lines, reading signs, finding their bags, and hearing the loudspeaker.
“One of the reasons what we’re doing is so important is it gives us an opportunity to work with facilities managers in the city and businesses to educate them on blindness and really what we need, and as much what we really don’t need,” Pirnie said.
“It’s a collective voice, it’s input for all types of users of the [ADA] system. So if we can gather input on what we need to improve on, that goes a long way for the rest of the community,” Gardea-Farris said.
“So hopefully this will help get the awareness out there for all the other blind people and other people with disabilities,” Malone said.
The ADA affects all state and local government agencies, private employers with 15 or more employees, and all businesses working for the benefit of the public.
