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Kurdistan
Autistic child presses the call button above his seat during a mock flight at the Salt Lake City International Airport on August 20, 2016. Photo: AP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Government’s (KRG) ministry of transportation and communication decided on Thursday to fast track families with autistic people at Erbil and Sulaimani airports.
According to the ruling by the ministry, families with autistic people will be allowed to use Express Lane and their paperwork at the passport control lane will be prioritised as people with the spectrum “feel anxious and uncomfortable in crowded areas.”
“For the time being, they can benefit from the Express Lane until a special lane is prepared for them,” noted the ruling.
The ministry also said that the decision is based on a suggestion made by the London-based Hope Autism Society.
Ruwayda Mustafah, founder and director of Hope Autism Society, told Rudaw English late Thursday that they appreciate the KRG’s willingness to engage with them and support them. “We want to make Kurdistan as inclusive as possible to those with autism, and focused on ensuring those with autism are not discriminated against.”
“In addition to this, we have also drafted a bill that seeks to end discrimination against individuals with autism, which is currently in the very early stages,” noted Mustafah.
The ministry orders both Erbil and Sulaimani airports to implement the decision as soon as possible.
Dora Raymaker, an autistic researcher, told National Geographic in December that neurodivergence is an invisible disability that is not always apparent to other people that these people need extra assistance when travelling. She added that this makes travelling difficult for these people.
Autistic people and their families in the Kurdistan Region suffer from limited support from the government, with many families struggling to afford treatment provided by private centres.
Some families have risked their lives by illegally migrating to Europe with the hope of obtaining better care for their autistic children there.
Kurdistan’s people, & our guests deserve the best always, especially those need special treatment. thank you for your contribution dear @Ruwayda khan, we will always try our best efforts. https://t.co/UsT8nTJLDM
— Ano Abdoka ܐܢܘ 𒀭𒀀𒉡 (@AnoAbdoka) February 3, 2022
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