LaGuardia Terminal B is the first airline terminal in the United States to earn the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Gold accessibility certification.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the manager and developer of LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, announced that the terminal has achieved the highest possible rating for accessibility in the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) programme, earning Gold from the Canada-based foundation dedicated to raising awareness, changing attitudes, and removing barriers for people with disabilities.
Among all the accolades received by Terminal B, we are particularly proud that the new terminal is the first in the nation to be awarded Gold certification by the Rick Hansen Foundation
Terminal B was designed with hard of hearing travellers in mind
Part of the design
Accessibility has been a key element of the transformation of the Port Authority’s airports. As part of the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport, Terminal B was designed to be accessible for guests with hearing, vision, and mobility disabilities. The terminal is equipped with hearing loops available at all guest experience desks, intuitive departure board displays in two formats along with colour coding to support easy interpretation and gate distance information, accessible assistance at kerbside drop-off/check-in service with call button, colour-coded wayfinding across the airport, and a calming seating area with sensory stimulation features such as plants and foliage. Terminal B also offers the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard to guests with disabilities that may not be easy to observe, such as autism, PTSD and hearing loss. The lanyard identifies these guests and communicates that they may need extra help while travelling through the terminal.
Accessible assistance at kerbside drop-off is available at Terminal B
The RHFAC programme helps organisations understand their level of meaningful accessibility from a people-centric perspective of those with varying disabilities. Using common methodology and language, it provides a roadmap on how to improve, helps organisations prioritise decision making based on data, and celebrates achievements in their journey towards improved access. More than 1,800 sites have been rated through the programme to date with more than 1,300 becoming certified.
“Accessibility is a critical part of the Port Authority’s mission to create world class airports, where state-of-the-art technology and thoughtful design will make travel easier and less stressful for passengers of all ability levels,” said Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton. “Among all the accolades received by Terminal B, we are particularly proud that the new terminal is the first in the nation to be awarded Gold certification by the Rick Hansen Foundation.”
“We are honoured to receive this recognition from the Rick Hansen Foundation, which is a leader in the effort to create and promote accessible spaces,” said Port Authority Board chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This gold certification for Terminal B is a testament to the efforts by the Port Authority and LaGuardia Gateway Partners to provide a best-in-class experience for all of our passengers and communities.”
Images: LaGuardia Gateway Partners
