Let's get the Dept for Transport to move perfumed areas away from main airport thoroughfares for the invisibly disabled.
Let's get Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP and The Department for Transport to rethink open-plan travel terminal design.
Duty-free airport areas and also arrivals areas all have unavoidable perfumed areas which can be huge migraine triggers and also affect those with allergies, asthma, as well as causing general discomfort with their strong scents.
We are forced to use open-plan departure halls in airports and ferry terminals as well as go through them to leave.
If there were strobe lights, the airport would have to provide an alternative route!
For example, Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Who wants a migraine/asthma attack on their holiday, or when returning from travel? Not me!
I am a chronic migraine sufferer for example and walking through these areas forcibly is a guaranteed ill-maker. I can only imagine what it's like for someone who has breathing difficulties and/or allergies.
Migraine is the most common neurological condition in the developed world.
It is more prevalent than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined – 8 million people in the UK have migraine. It's classified as an invisible disability and public areas need to acknowledge them.
In addition, 5.4 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children (1 in 11) and 4.3 million adults (1 in 12).
By moving these areas or housing them within closed walls instead of open-plan settings (who needs to smell Old Spice when eating their airport breakfast anyway?), migraine/asthma/allergy sufferers and others affected by strong smells (even those who dislike being forced to walk through duty-free sales areas) will be able to breathe freely without having to worry about the onset of debilitating pain.
It will also raise awareness of such issues - these invisible and unconsidered disabilities.
Let's get invisible disabilities treated as part of accessibility for the disabled.
The more petition signatures we receive, the more Patrick McLoughlin MP will get the message.
Please show your support today.