Accessibility improvements at Guernsey Ports

Guernsey Ports has made improvements to the Guernsey Airport Terminal Building to increase accessibility for passengers with visual impairments.

The recent changes are part of a suite of adjustments to landside and airside facilities, with the aim of continually improving the passenger experience for people with reduced mobility, visual impairment and those passengers requiring additional support.

The most recent project overseen by Customer Services Manager Mal Mechem is the addition of vibrant yellow and blue colour contrasting, aiding those with visual impairments to identify entrances, doorways, stairways and seating areas with ease.

This followed engagement with the Guernsey Blind Association, which helped Guernsey Ports to make meaningful adjustments.

Mr Mechem explained: “The changes are all based around providing increased contrast to help people with visual impairments to better perceive entrances, doorways and seating.

“Chantelle from the Guernsey Blind Association has been very proactive in highlighting opportunities and working collaboratively with us to make the terminal facilities more accessible for everyone.”

Guernsey Blind Association’s Vision Support Services Officer, Chantelle Tucker, said: “The Guernsey Blind Association is here to help everyone in the Bailiwick affected by sight loss so they may maintain independent living. Living on an island, freedom of travel is a vital part of independent living.

“We are delighted with how keen and proactive Mal from Guernsey Ports has been in continuing to develop their inclusivity to prevent there being any barriers for those with visual impairments in respect of ease of air travel.

“We look forward to continuing this relationship with them, which in turn is going to greatly benefit so many people locally and also visitors.

“We welcome any other business or organisation to get in touch with us if they wish to discuss reasonable adjustments for inclusivity for those with sight impairments.”

Mr Mechem said partnership and collaboration play an important role in improving the customer experience.

“We have an open dialogue with several charitable organisations and that provides us with valuable feedback from their service users. We are very happy to work with local organisations to implement reasonable adjustments that can make a very real difference to travellers.

“Guernsey Ports also works collaboratively with the local handling agent for passenger assistance, Aurigny, providing the infrastructure to improve accessibility and the total journey experience.”

The recent changes for those with visual impairments include:

• Yellow edge tape fitted around all doorways (terminal entrance, landside and airside) and at the start of check-in queues. The tape clearly marks the outline of all entrances and exits, which may otherwise blend into surroundings for people with reduced vision.  
• Edge strips fitted to all steps on the staircase to help people identify the difference in depth from one step to another.
• All outdoor seating has been painted blue, as the previous silver colour could blend in with the slabs beneath.
• Yellow edge tape fitted around all internal and external chrome pillars.
• Facades painted around doors of toilets in departures and arrivals.