We, the undersigned, call upon the Australian Government, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Department of Infrastructure and Transport, and all Australian airlines to introduce mandatory aviation policies and legislative protections for children with disabilities, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Children with ASD and ADHD experience heightened sensory sensitivity, anxiety, and behavioural distress in crowded, noisy, and unpredictable environments such as airports. Long queues, extended waiting times, security screening, and rigid boarding rules can result in medical distress, safety risks, and exclusion from air travel.
Currently, Australian aviation operations rely largely on airline discretion, leaving families vulnerable to denied boarding, financial penalties, and inconsistent treatment, despite acting reasonably and in good faith.
Problem
Australian aviation procedures do not adequately recognise or accommodate:
Sensory intolerance to crowds, noise, and waiting times
Behavioural risks caused by sensory overload
The need for time-critical, medically informed airport access
The impossibility for some families to arrive excessively early
As a result, families travelling with children with disabilities may face:
Denied boarding despite flights still departing
Excessive rebooking and penalty fees
Emotional distress and physical risk to children
Indirect discrimination contrary to Australian law
Legal and Human Rights Basis
This lack of accommodation is inconsistent with:
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) – failure to provide reasonable adjustments
Australian Human Rights Commission guidelines on disability access
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), to which Australia is a signatory
Equal access to public transport includes air travel, and reasonable adjustments must be practical, predictable, and enforceable—not discretionary.
What We Are Asking For
We petition the Australian Government to mandate the following across all Australian airports and airlines:
Priority or direct check-in access for families travelling with children diagnosed with ASD or ADHD.
Flexible baggage drop and check-in time allowances, supported by medical documentation.
Late or fast-tracked boarding options to minimise sensory overload.
Protection from rebooking penalties and denied boarding where delays are disability-related.
Mandatory disability and neurodiversity training for airline and airport staff.
Clear, enforceable national standards, not optional airline policies.
Why This Matters
Children with disabilities should not be excluded from air travel due to systems that fail to recognise medical realities. Parents should not be forced to choose between their child’s wellbeing and financial penalty.
Accessibility in aviation is not a privilege—it is a legal and moral obligation.
Call to Action
We urge policymakers to act now to ensure safe, fair, and inclusive air travel for children with disabilities and their families across Australia.
Please sign and share this petition to support equitable aviation access for all Australians.