Darron Freegard

Darron has 35 years of experience in the aviation industry in the UK and Australia, working in a wide variety of leadership roles in airfield and terminal management and planning. He is committed to improving accessibility at airports for disabled people and is co-chair of ACI’s World facilitation & services committee accessibility working group. Darron is a passionate traveler and avid amateur cyclist.

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Panel discussion: From ‘why’ to ‘how’ – developing practical guidance for airport accessibility

People with disability often face barriers when traveling. The existing compliance-based approach to planning is not fit for purpose, and the facilities and services that airports provide must be accessible and barrier-free. Building on the ACI Airports and Accessible Travel: a Practical Guide, this panel moves the conversation from why accessibility is important, to how airports can do better in providing meaningful inclusion. This panel will highlight practical tools to enhance the experience for passengers and employees with disabilities while exploring how standardized practices can encourage more people to travel with confidence and unlock new commercial opportunities.

The audience will learn:

• How to move from a compliance-based to outcomes-based planning approach
• How airports can ensure consistency in accessible practices
• Tools used to integrate employee and customer experience and accessibility
• Approaches to ensuring barrier-free technology and digital resources implemented at the airport and by airports' aviation partners
• Learn the critical importance of designing with people with lived experience to ensure accessibility solutions truly meet their needs