The Equal Skies Charter has launched its first research project investigating disability employment within the aviation and aerospace industries. The charter is inviting aviation and aerospace organisations of all sizes to complete the questionnaire.
A Charter, which aims to improve the experiences of disabled people in aviation and aerospace, has been launched by a group of diversity advocates from the sector.
The Equal Skies Charter is a collaboration between Aerobility, NATS, Bristow, 2Excel Aviation, London Biggin Hill Airport, The University of West London, UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Saxon Air, Blackbushe Airport and Evenbreak.
The Equal Skies Charter’s mission is to ensure that people with a disability have equal access to the benefits and opportunities provided by aviation and aerospace industries.
A questionnaire has been issued by the charter and organisations from across the sector are being invited to contribute to its groundbreaking research. The feedback will allow the charter to gather data to help understand the potential barriers currently faced by disabled people working within the sector and organisations looking to hire people with a disability.
Harvey Matthewson, Equal Skies Charter Programme Manager at Aerobility, announced the launch of the research project at the British Aviation Group’s annual dinner.
He said: “It feels great to have launched the first research project as part of Equal Skies. The charter would like to see more people with disabilities working in the sector.
“We hope that the lived disability experience that the sector gains through this can be used to improve the experience of disabled service users. Essentially, we aim to change the industry from within.
“This is a huge aim which can only be achieved by working collaboratively and positively with the entire industry.
“By contributing to this research, organisations will be helping to effect lasting change in the industry for the next generation of disabled aviation professionals and service users. Your answers will help us to change the aviation and aerospace industries for the better.”
Please complete the questionnaire here: https://equalskiescharter.org/questionnaire