A passionate disability advocate is calling for a complete overhaul at the Adelaide Airport after his mother was told she could not pick him up because she did not have a permit to park in the designated pick up area.
Shane Hryhorec, founder of Push Mobility, posted a video to social media on Saturday night of the interaction he had with an airport staffer who said he would fine his mother $400 if she parked in the area.
Mr Hryhorec said this isn’t the first time he has had an issue at the airport.
“She said as she was approaching the pick up area some yelled out “you can’t park here”…..and started abusing my mum,” he said.
“This gentleman said ‘you can’t get picked up here your mum doesn’t have a permit on her window’.”
A regular traveller, Mr Hryhorec said he very rarely encounters these issues interstate or abroad.
“When I got dropped off in Melbourne, I was dropped off in a disability pick up area with absolutely no hassles and in fact the staff member even offered to help, asked if I needed assistance getting out of the car,” he said.
“Meanwhile when you get to Adelaide, not only are they not offering assistance but they’re telling you to go away, which is just absurd.
“Unfortunately the attitude toward the staff there in regards to how they police it is unethical.”
As for what Shane would like to see change, he believes the airport needs a complete overhaul at every touch point.
“I think they need a complete overhaul regarding the way that they interact with people with disabilities in every touch point throughout the airport to be honest with you,” he said.
“I think they need to find a way to better listen, better respond and better improve things for people with disabilities.
“There also needs to be mandatory training for all staff at every touch point that interact with people with disabilities.”
Adelaide Airport executive general manager Dermot O’Neill, said they will be working with staff to ensure they understand how they use the area.
“It is clear that there are some actions that we can take to ensure there we’re able to avoid similar circumstances and I guess a similar instance moving forward,” he said.
“The use of permits in this area is important to make sure that we have the right use of the area, what is also important is that we support our team in also understanding what the right discretion available to them is in how this area is managed.”
Mr O’Neill offered Mr Hryhorec a formal apology and stated that both he and his mother would not be receiving a fine.