Compensation for disabled man humiliated by airport security
27.04.09
A disabled man told to remove his splints by security staff at Belfast International Airport has been paid £1500 to settle his disability discrimination claim. Paul Hamilton, from Newtownards, launched a claim against ICTS UK, who operate security at the airport. He said staff had shown ‘a complete lack of consideration for those with mobility problems’. The company accepted it had subjected Mr Hamilton to less favourable treatment on grounds of his disability.
Mr Hamilton, who has mobility and hearing problems, was passing through airport security when he was asked to remove his shoes before going through a security arch. He explained to the security guard that he wore splints, however, he was ordered to remove his shoes and splints. These were passed through the x-ray machine and he had to walk through the security arch, even though this was very difficult as his balance is badly affected without splints.
He said: ‘I found the whole experience very embarrassing and unsettling. Alternative arrangements should have been in place to screen disabled people in line with their security requirements. Their insistence that I had to walk without the aid of my splints was unreasonable, removed my dignity and showed a lack of understanding of the needs of disabled people.’
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