Dear all

We would like to thank all of you for your support with your signatures and your messages. We are glad to announce that TACA Airlines has issued a public apology.

To read the apology please visit our website www.inclusion-international.org

Thank you,

Inclusion International

 The participants to the First Conference for Self-advocates that took place in Bogotá, Colombia on 10 November, 2010 would like to Express Our strongest indignation and protest for the violation of the Human Rights of JUAN COBEÑAS DAL BÓ, a person with disability that needs different supports, one of them being a wheelchair specially designed for him and which he needs to be able to move.

On his trip from Argentina to Bogota (Colombia) TACA, the airline responsible for the 18:05 flight No24 from Buenos Aires (Ezeiza) to Lima, lost part of Juan’s wheelchair leaving him with a totally useless wheelchair. The attitude of those responsible for the flight was of indifference and inconsideration and they even refused to provide Juan and his family with accommodation for one night so they could continue their trip the next day and participate in the Conference of self-advocates.

What happened to Juan represents a violation of the Spirit of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 9 (accessibility) Article 17 (Protection of personal integrity) and Article 20 (Personal Mobility). Therefore we
DEMAND
1. That TACA Airlines pay for any repairs needed for the wheelchair.
2. That TACA Airlines refund the cost of the air tickets to Juan and family.
3. That TACA Airlines issue a public apology.

So that this kind of incidents don’t happen EVER AGAIN

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