Universal Access in Travel Symposium: An Interview with Tom Zoeller
of design issues that your constituency has become aware of?
Tom: I would think wayfinding and information display is one of the key design issues that airports are most familiar. As we develop new technologies and methods for displaying flight information and signage in airports, airport designers/planners need to take into account the diversity of the population that is using the airport.
Q: Are there any ways in which your professional colleagues have suggested that the disability community reframe their approach to achieve a mutually satisfying result?
Tom: AAAE members not only run the airports, they use them too. They are travelers - they experience the same types of frustrations and challenges in traveling that everyone else does. With that in mind, I think that they are particularly attuned to understanding what is happening in an airport terminal environment. Airport directors and managers put a premium on customer service. So they are always listening to what the traveling public says about their travel experiences. Conferences like this are great opportunities to engage in a constructive dialogue to help educate both sides of the debate.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add? Anyone you would like to invite?
Tom: I appreciate your interest in this conference and in AAAE. I would just extend the invitation to come to Baltimore. I think it will be a very interesting and informative conference.
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