travel
inflight entertainment
just got better
Virgin Australia is making their
inflight entertainment system
more accessible to those with
vision impairment.
The system uses an easier layout,
larger icons, and voice prompts to
make operating possible for vision
impaired passengers. The inflight
entertainment system is also
available on passengers’ devices
using screen reading technology.
The new system has been developed “I started an online petition back “This new technology also allows
by CoKinetic, a globally recognised in 2013 about the need for these vision impaired guests to access
company developing inflight systems to be accessible for important flight information such
entertainment software and services. people with vision impairment. as the time and distance to their
The petition had about 10,000 destination.”
It is now available on Virgin’s fleet signatures, and lots of comments of Boeing 777-300ER aircrafts, which from people who agreed that these Though proud of what his advocacy
most often travel between Australia systems should be better.” has achieved, Phillip told Link that
and Los Angeles, and will be fitted
he can see even more opportunity
to the Airbus A330 fleet this year, Phillip worked with Virgin Australia which generally travel between on trialling their new system before Australia’s East Coast and Perth. it was implemented. Disability advocate Phillip Chalker Virgin Australia’s general manager how to get more content on the
is a big part of why Virgin’s inflight of inflight experience, Tash Tobias, entertainment system that is audio
entertainment system is changing. said that consulting with Phillip, in described. I would encourage
His advocacy in this area began addition to Vision Australia, had anyone with a vision impairment
after he was stuck on a 21-hour helped the company understand to give feedback on the system so
flight to America. the needs of people with vision that it can be made even better
impairment. moving forward.”
flight, I had to ask my wife or a “We are determined to ensure travel He also hopes that other airlines
flight attendant to help me change with Virgin Australia is enjoyable now look at making similar changes
the music I was listening to, or for all of our guests and we are to their inflight entertainment
the movie, and I just thought it delighted to introduce this new user systems.
was unfair to have to keep asking interface for guests who are blind or them,” Phillip said. have low vision,” Tash said.
for change.
“I’m hoping that into the future
we can have conversations about
“I ended up really bored on this
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