Miss-Delectable
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RTN The Favourite Free Newspaper For The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida - Blind, deaf and forgotten at El Altet
JOSHUA DOMINGUEZ, a deaf and blind man requiring assistance from AENA’s disabled service at El Altet Airport, was abandoned by irresponsible staff at the airport on Monday, causing him to miss his plane and leaving him with a nine hour wait for the next flight to Madrid.
At 1pm on Monday Joshua reported to the disabled assistance service at El Altet prior to taking his flight to Madrid at 2.45pm. He was taken to a bench and told not to move. Twenty minutes later Joshua made his way to the service window again and was again told to wait. Five minutes before the flight was due to leave, a distressed Joshua was angrily told to produce his boarding pass before being rushed to the departure gate, too late to catch his plane.
Asociación de Sordociegos de España (Asocide) The Deaf Blind Association of Spain, has severely criticised the airport’s treatment of Joshua. A spokesman said, “How could they so neglect someone with no hearing and no vision? He could hardly go unnoticed as he was accompanied by a guide dog!”
Joshua had to wait until 11pm to board the next available flight.
According to Asocide, the service extended to disable passengers at El Altet is paid for by the Ministry of Development under the guidance of the Spanish Committee of Disabled People (CERMI).
A company spokesman for AENA said, “We admit that there was a lack of coordination in the service due to human error. We serve thousands of passengers every month and this has not occurred throughout the year in El Altet. It was the first time. The passenger was relocated on the next flight to Madrid, did not have to pay anything and was served a snack and dinner.”
At the time of going to press Joshua was unavailable for comment as to whether he considered a snack and dinner to be adequate compensation for his nine hour nightmare.
JOSHUA DOMINGUEZ, a deaf and blind man requiring assistance from AENA’s disabled service at El Altet Airport, was abandoned by irresponsible staff at the airport on Monday, causing him to miss his plane and leaving him with a nine hour wait for the next flight to Madrid.
At 1pm on Monday Joshua reported to the disabled assistance service at El Altet prior to taking his flight to Madrid at 2.45pm. He was taken to a bench and told not to move. Twenty minutes later Joshua made his way to the service window again and was again told to wait. Five minutes before the flight was due to leave, a distressed Joshua was angrily told to produce his boarding pass before being rushed to the departure gate, too late to catch his plane.
Asociación de Sordociegos de España (Asocide) The Deaf Blind Association of Spain, has severely criticised the airport’s treatment of Joshua. A spokesman said, “How could they so neglect someone with no hearing and no vision? He could hardly go unnoticed as he was accompanied by a guide dog!”
Joshua had to wait until 11pm to board the next available flight.
According to Asocide, the service extended to disable passengers at El Altet is paid for by the Ministry of Development under the guidance of the Spanish Committee of Disabled People (CERMI).
A company spokesman for AENA said, “We admit that there was a lack of coordination in the service due to human error. We serve thousands of passengers every month and this has not occurred throughout the year in El Altet. It was the first time. The passenger was relocated on the next flight to Madrid, did not have to pay anything and was served a snack and dinner.”
At the time of going to press Joshua was unavailable for comment as to whether he considered a snack and dinner to be adequate compensation for his nine hour nightmare.