Non-discrimination on the

Basis of Disability in Air Travel:

Screening Guidelines to be
followed by CISF Security
Staff
For Passengers with
Disabilities at Indian Airports
Compiled by:
Rajesh Bhatia, Shivani Gupta, Smiti Bhatia and
Suranjana Ghosh Aikara
June 2014

disability.
India ratified CPRD
(Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities) in 2007
to recognise and protect the rights and dignity of Persons
of Disabilities,
oppose discrimination against them and uphold their
freedom
to make their own choices.

On average, 1 out of every 10 travellers has

some level of disability,
which also includes the elderly and injured.

An airport can be a stressful environment and poses

challenges for all travellers.
Imagine encountering those challenges with a DISABILITY.

Now, imagine how you can help alleviate those

challenges.
Be kind,
courteous
and
knowledgeable to ensure that
passengers
with
disabilities
have a positive experience at
the airport security screening.

The key to providing exemplary service is knowing

how to
effectively interact with people with
disabilities.

Let us learn how.

Content and Objectives of this Presentation

Content:
Screening Dos and Donts for the passengers with
disabilities, at airports in India.
Objectives:
Train CISF staff in charge of airport security
screening, with appropriate protocol for screening
passengers with disabilities satisfactorily, without
compromising dignity of people with disabilities.

Consider, Remember and Practice

Treat passengers with disabilities in a pleasant, helpful &
respectful manner.
Pay emphasis and attention on the person, not the
disability.

Behaviour and Attitude:

Show respect for the
individual
Be kind and courteous
Speak directly to the
person, not their
companion
Be Patient and Calm
Do not ask any personal
questions
Do not make any
disgraceful / humiliating
comments

Assistance:
Offer to help and request
permission before
assisting
Listen and follow
directions
Bring passenger to the
front of the line
Respect passengers
mobility equipment and
handle with care

Screening Techniques for different catogories:

Persons with disabilities may include:
1. Mobility Impairment
a. use wheelchair or scooters, have metal joint
implants, wear cast, brace or other support
b. Persons with Prosthetic limbs

2. Intellectual Disabilities
3. Developmental Disabilities
4. Blind or Low Vision
5. Deaf or Hard of Hearing
6. Persons with Deafblindness
7. Speech impaired
Children with Disabilities
Persons with Medical needs

1a. Mobility Impairment

Passengers with Mobility Impairment may:
Use Wheelchair or Scooters
Use Mobility Devices like canes, crutches or
braces
Have Metal Joint Implants, like artificial knees or
hips
Have a Cast, Brace or Support Appliance
Have Difficulty Walking or Standing
Cannot Remove Shoes

Screening Passengers with Mobility Impairment

Dos

Use ETD to screen passengers

wheelchair/scooter.
Removable
items need X-ray screening.
Screen passengers with thorough
pat-down.
Conduct screening in private area,
with CISF officer of same gender as
passenger, with a companion of
passengers choice (if requested).
The passengers walker, crutch,
cane, or other assistive mobility
device
must
undergo
X-ray
screening, unless it cannot fit
through the X-ray. If an item cannot fit
in the X-ray, or the passenger cannot
be separated from the item, it must
be inspected with ETD.
Use ETD to screen passengers who
cannot remove shoes and have
metal joint implants.
Passengers with cast, brace or
calipers or supportive appliances
should
be
screened
without
removing them with a thorough pat
down process and ETD.

Donts

Do not force wheel chair users to

stand from their wheel chairs.
Do not attempt to manually lift
the wheel chair user as this is
against his/her dignity and most of all
it jeopardizes his/her safety.
Under no circumstances should
the passenger be asked to remove
cast,
brace,
calipers,
metal
implants or supportive alliances
and shoes if the passenger cannot
remove shoes.

Common Types of Wheelchairs

Manual Wheelchair
Motorized Wheelchair

Motorized Scooter

Common Types of Braces, Callipers and Casts

Arm brace

Calliper

Leg brace

Arm
cast

Common Types of Mobility Devices

Shoulder
Crutches
Walke
r

Cane for Visually

Impaired

Elbow
Crutches

1b. Prosthetic Limbs

Prosthetic limbs are mechanical devices worn by amputees.
They can be worn
above knee, below knee, on the elbow or shoulder, depending
on the nature
of amputation.
Parts of a prosthetic limb:
Pylon- internal frame or skeleton of the prosthetic limb.
Provides structural support and formed of metal rods or
lighter carbon-fibre composites.
Foam cover - Pylons are enclosed with a foam-like
material, shaped and coloured to match the persons skin
tone to make the prosthetic limb look lifelike.
Socket - the portion of the prosthetic device where the
amputees limb stump is fitted in.
Advanced prosthetic limbs can be equipped with

Different Types of Prosthetic Limbs

Below knee
prosthetic limb with
and
without foam cover

Above knee
amputee
without prosthesis

Above knee
amputee
with prosthesis
and foam cover

Above knee
prosthetic limb
without foam cover
Prosthetic

Screening Passengers with Prosthetic Devices

Dos

Passengers should be screened

without
removing
prosthetic
limbs,
with
Explosive
Trace
Detectors (ETD).
Physical pat-down to be done by
officer of passengers gender to
resolve any alarms of ETD.
The passenger can request a private
screening at any time and a private
screening should be offered when the
officer must pat-down sensitive areas.
During a private screening, another
CISF employee of the passengers
gender must also be present and the
passenger may be accompanied by a
companion of his or her choosing.
Provide the passenger with a chair if
he or she needs to sit down.
Ask the passenger before the patdown begins, about any difficulty in
raising his or her arms, remaining in
the position required for a pat-down,
or any areas of the body that are
painful when touched.

Donts

Do not ask the passenger to

remove his/her prosthesis.
Do not ask the passenger to strip to
remove prosthesis.
Do not make a passenger remove or
lift any article of clothing that may
compromise their modesty.
Under no circumstances should
the passenger's prosthesis be put
through X-Ray machine.

2. Intellectual Disabilities
Screening
Screen along
with passengers
Method
travelling companions, if
required
Allow passenger or travelling
companions to offer
suggestions on the best way to
approach and screen the
passenger, especially if it is
necessary to touch during
screening.
Offer to screen passenger using
walk-through metal detectors.
If passenger declines this
option, then screen using a
thorough pat down process
instead.
Tell the passenger exactly what
is going to happen. Eg I will
have to pat you along your
arms, your body, and legs. I will
also use this (ETD) to pat you

Etiquette

Speak directly to the passenger

when making a request or
giving an instruction, eg Lift
your arms etc.
Passenger might need a minute
or so to process information and
allow the screening. Wait. A
moments patience will enable
successful screening.
Use short sentences giving one
piece of information at one
time.
Be prepared to repeat or
rephrase the information
Act naturally and maintain eye
contact
Do not be confrontational or
frighten the individual.
Focus on the person not the
disability.

3. Developmental Disabilities
Screening Method

Passengers with developmental

disabilities may experience impaired
cognition, mobility and/or sensory
deficit. They must be screened
without being separated from their
traveling companions.
If the passenger uses a wheelchair
follow direction provided in the slide
on screening passengers with
mobility impairments
Allow passenger or travelling
companions to offer suggestions on
the best way to approach and
screen the passenger, especially if it
is necessary to touch during
screening.
Offer to screen passenger using
walk-through metal detectors.
If passenger declines this option,
then screen using a thorough pat
down process instead.

Speak directly to the passenger

Etiquette

when making a request or giving an

instruction, eg Lift your arms etc.
The passenger might seem
unfocussed, looking away, and not
listening to at all. She/he might just
have difficulty in looking at you. The
does not mean she/he is not
listening.
Passenger might need a minute or
so to process information and allow
the screening. Wait. A moments
patience will enable successful
screening.
Use short sentences giving one
piece of information at one time.
Be prepared to repeat or rephrase
the information
Act naturally and maintain eye
contact.
Do not be confrontational or frighten
the individual.
Focus on the person not the

4. Blind or Low Vision

Screening Method

Screen passenger using ETD and

a thorough pat-down.
Canes and other devices like
Braille note takers may undergo
X-ray screening.
If an item doesnt fit in the X-ray,
or the passenger cannot be
separated from the item, it should
be inspected with ETD.
CISF staff to ask passenger if
he/she needs to be immediately
reunited with the device after Xray screening.

Etiquette

Introduce yourself as a CISF

officer and give your name.
Dont
touch
the
person
without asking permission.
Dont engage with a guide dog
without permission.
Be specific when giving directions.
To act as a Human Guide, offer
your elbow for the person to take.

5. Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Screening Method

Ask the passengers about the

type of assistance needed or
technology used, e.g. hearing aids
or cochlear implants, before
screening begins.
Screen passengers by walkthrough metal detectors. If a
passenger is unable to, conduct a
pat-down.
Do not remove hearing aids or
cochlear implant.
Do additional screening only if it
alarms
walk-through
metal
detector or looks unusual in
imaging technology.

Etiquette

Get the persons attention. You can

wave or touch the person on the
shoulder or back of the arm.
Have a pen and paper handy.
Speak directly to the person, clearly
and at a normal speed. Be patient.
If you need to speak loudly, do so for
the
entire
conversation.
Avoid
sounding harsh.
Provide a clear view of your face while
speaking to enable passenger to lip
read.
Do not eat or chew while speaking
If a particular word is not understood,
try to substitute that word with
another word.

6. Persons with Deafblindness

Screening Method

Ask the passengers about the

type of assistance needed or
technology used, e.g. hearing aids
or cochlear implants, before
screening begins.
Screen passengers by walkthrough metal detectors. If unable
to, conduct a pat-down.
Do not remove hearing aids or
cochlear implant.
White Canes and other devices
like Braille note takers may
undergo X-ray screening.
If an item doesnt fit in the X-ray,
or the passenger cannot be
separated from the item, it should
be inspected with ETD.
CISF staff to ask passenger if
he/she needs to be immediately
reunited with the device after Xray screening

Etiquette

Get the persons attention. touch

the person on the shoulder or
back of the arm.
Communicate by spelling the
alphabets on the passengers palm
and offer your palm for response
(Tactile sign).
Do not touch the passenger or
hand something to them without
prior explanation.
Guide the passengers hand to
objects by letting their hand rest
lightly on the back of yours.
Do not leave without letting the
passenger know by touch or by
signal, even for short periods.

7. Speech Impairments
Screening Method

Etiquette

Screen passengers by a walkthrough metal detector and ETD.

If unable to be screened by a
walk-through metal detector, do a
thorough pat- down.

Listen, but if you have difficulty

understanding, dont pretend you
understand. Be patient.
Repeat what you do understand
for confirmation.
Ask person to spell, rephrase or
write down the information. Have
pen and paper handy.
If possible, ask questions that
require short answers or a nod or
shake of the head.
Maintain eye contact.
Move to a quieter location if
necessary or possible.

Children with Disabilities

Screening
Method the child
Do not remove

from his/her mobility aid

(wheelchair or scooter).
The parent/guardian should
be responsible for removing
child from equipment, at
parent's/guardian's discretion,
to accomplish screening.
If the child is unable to walk
or stand, the Security Officer
should conduct a pat-down
search of the child while
he/she
remains
in
their
mobility aid, as well as a
visual and physical inspection
of their equipment.
Parent/guardian to remain
with child at all times, and
can ask for the child to be

Etiquette

Ensure
Parent/Guardian
informs the CISF Officer if the
child has a disability, medical
condition or medical devices,
and if they think the child
may become upset during the
screening process.
Welcome suggestions from
parent/guardian on how to
best accomplish the screening
process and minimize any
confusion for the child.
Ask Parent/Guardian what the
child's abilities are. E.g.:
whether the child can walk
through the metal detector or
can be carried through the
metal
detector
by
the

PASSENGERS WITH
MEDICAL NEEDS

Passengers with Bandages and Dressings

Screening Method
If
a
passenger
has
dressings
or
bandages
used to cover wounds from
an
injury
or
surgical
procedure, he or she
should inform the CISF
officer of the location of
the
dressings
and/or
bandages and of any need
for
assistance
before
screening begins.
Passengers with dressings
or
bandages
can
be
screened
using
walk
through metal, detector,
ETD or a thorough pat
down.

Etiquette

Do not disturb the

patients bandages and
dressings that may cause
injury or inconvenience to
the passenger.

Screening Techniques for Travellers with Medical

Conditions:
1. Have Internal Medical
Devices
2. Need Medication
3. Have Medically
Necessary Liquids
4. Have Medically
Necessary Radioactive
Substances
5. Use Portable Oxygen
and have CPAPs,
BiPAPs, and APAPs
(Respiratory Machines)

6. Use Nebulisers (a
drug delivery device
used to administer
medication in the
form of a mist
inhaled into the
lungs.)
7. Have Diabetes
8. Have Ostomies
9. Are Breast Cancer
Survivors
10.Have Difficulty
Waiting in Line

1. Internal Medical Devices

Passengers
with
internal
medical
devices
(pacemaker or defibrillator) to inform the screening
officer before screening begins.
Dos
Screen passengers with a pat-down
process.
Don'ts
Do not screen with a metal detector as it can
hamper the internal device.

2. Medication
Allow medications in pill OR other solid form
through security screening checkpoints in
unlimited amounts, but after screening.
Passengers to inform officers and separate
medication from baggage before screening.
Screen with X-ray and/or ETD.
If a passenger does not want a medication Xrayed, they can request CISF staff for an
inspection prior to screening.

3. Medically Necessary Liquids

Categories:
Liquids,
gels,
aerosols
Bags,
pumps
,
syringes
Freezer packs or
frozen gel packs
Baby formula and
food, breast milk
and medications

Screening Method:
X-ray (additional
screening for items
in excess of 3.4
ounces)
X-ray or inspection
X-ray and additional
screening
Permit in excess of
3.4 ounces in
reasonable
quantities for flight

4. Medically Necessary Radio-active Substances

Screen passengers with pat-down process or a
walk-through metal detector.
If a passenger has radioactive medication, it
should be permitted through a screening
checkpoint once screened.

5.Portable Oxygen and Passengers with CPAPs,

BiPAPs, APAPs (Respiratory Equipment)
Passenger must inform the screening officer if
Oxygen can be disconnected before the screening
process begins.
Passengers who can disconnect must be screened
with ETD or pat-down.
If the passengers respiratory equipment cannot
be disconnected, it should be tested for traces of
explosives. If explosive material is detected,
additional screening is needed.
Screen all CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs with X-ray. If
the X-ray cannot see through all parts of the
CPAP, BiPAP, or APAP, additional screening by Xray or other methods is needed.
Passengers must remove CPAPs, BiPAPs, and

6. Nebulisers

These are devices used to administer medication in the

form of a mist inhaled into the lungs.

Screen Nebulisers by x-ray.

Passengers must remove the Nebuliser from its carrying
case; facemasks and tubing may remain in the case.
Nebuliser to be placed in a clear plastic bag during x-ray
screening;
Screening officer may need to remove it from the bag to
test for traces of explosives.

7. Diabetes

Screen
passengers
using
insulin
pumps
without
disconnecting from the pump.
Do thorough pat down followed by ETD sampling of the
hands.
The passengers insulin pump can be subject to additional
screening.
Diabetes-related supplies, equipment, and medication,
including liquids, to be screened by X-ray or hand
inspection.
Accessories required to keep medically necessary liquids,
gels, and aerosols cool such as freezer packs or frozen gel
packs are subject to additional screening.
Liquids, gels, and aerosols to be screened by X-ray and
medically necessary items in excess of 3.4 ounces to
undergo additional screening.

8. Ostomies

Ostomy is a Surgical procedure that creates an

artificial opening for the elimination of bodily
wastes.
Screen passenger using ostomy without having to empty or
expose it. Passengers MUST inform screening officer about
the ostomy before the screening begins.
Screen using metal detector, or a thorough pat-down.
Passengers ostomy can be subject to additional screening.
Under most circumstances, this should include the
passenger conducting a self pat-down of the ostomy,
followed by ETD sampling of the hands.

9. Breast Cancer Survivors

Security screeningto be done through walkthrough metal detectors, ETD or a thorough pat
-down procedure.
Screening officers must accommodate the
passengers needs and extend dignified and
sensitive treatment.

10. Difficulty Waiting in Line

Designate separate lanes at screening check

points specifically for passengers with disabilities
and medical conditions, senior citizens and those
travelling with young children.
The passenger should inform the personnel
overseeing the line that he or she may have
difficulty standing or waiting in line due to a
disability or medical condition before entering the
line.
CISF staff must courteously screen such
passengers before they screen others.

THANK YOU

Disclaimer: In order to keep the recommended guidelines in synch with

internationally followed screening practices for People With Disabilities, this
document has been put together with references from the Transportation
Security Guidelines of the United States of America and recommendations