An inspiring story of community support came out of Emirates airline this week. The airline announced that they had donated 12,000 First Class eye masks to schools or the blind, sensory providers, and vision support centres across the UK. 

A Thoughtful Request Sparks a Valuable Initiative

This initiative all started with Tracy Pearce, an outreach teacher from the organisation, Sight Scotland, at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh. Tracy reached out to Emirates in September 2024, and asked if the airline had any eye masks that were spare. She hoped to use them to help train educators who were working with visually impaired students.

Eye masks are commonly used in training sessions to help simulate the experience of visual impairment. Consequently, this allows teachers to better understand some of the challenges faced by the students they teach.

Emirates responded to Tracy’s request within a few days, fulfilling Tracy’s demand and encouraging her to get in touch with her network of over 80 service providers across the UK. 

By November 2024, over 12,259 First Class eye masks were donated and distributed by Emirates. These were sent out to learning inclusion and habilitation services, such as the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Following the generous donation, Tracy expressed her gratitude, saying:

These eye shades provide invaluable insight into the realities of living with a visual impairment. They are a crucial tool in our training sessions, allowing participants to experience first-hand the challenges faced by those with sight loss. We’re grateful to Emirates for their generous donation, which will make a significant difference in our ability to teach with empathy and expertise.

Making Travel More Inclusive

Emirates’ donation is an example of their commitment to inclusivity in the skies. Beyond donations like this, Emirates have a number of other internal inclusivity schemes. The airline is the first in the world to integrate the “Be My Eyes” app. This offers video support for blind and low-vision travellers who need extra support when travelling.

The service allows customers to connect to Emirates’ call centre through the app and receive real-time assistance via live video calls. Apps like this aid passengers with directing their way through airports, providing a more seamless and supportive travel experience. Accordingly, putting Emirates ahead of other airlines when it comes to accessibility.

Furthermore, on the new Airbus A350, Emirates has enhanced its in-flight entertainment system with features designed for visually impaired passengers. These features will include voice feedback, audio-cue navigation, touch and swipe gesture support, and a wide selection of audio-described movies and TV shows.

Accessibility at Every Step of the Journey

As a part of their inclusivity promise, Emirates also stands out among other airlines. They have introduced accessible self-service kiosks at major hubs like Dubai International Airport, (DXB), as well as JFK and LAX. These kiosks are equipped with text-to-speech capabilities and user-friendly typography to assist travellers with visual impairments.

Emirates also offers complimentary services for travellers who require guide dogs. This includes the option for service dogs to accompany travellers in the cabin. In addition, the airline offers individualised safety briefings, and personalised onboard support, ensuring that all passengers feel comfortable and, most importantly, safe whilst in the air.

Initiatives like these are crucial in a modern world that hopes to become more and more inclusive by the day. Emirates continue to set the benchmark for accessible travel, and the examples above truly show that their commitment to inclusivity stretches beyond the cabin, covering the whole leg of the journey.

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