Justice for Ethan Vida: Hold Air Canada Accountable for Denying Accessibility Services

We, the undersigned, are deeply disturbed by the shocking negligence and lack of support shown by Air Canada towards a disabled child,  Ethan Nikko Vida and his mother, Arabella Vida, during their travels on May 4 and May 8, 2023. Despite prior assurances from Air Canada’s customer service, Ethan, a child with autism and special needs, was denied essential accessibility services. This reckless disregard caused profound physical, mental, emotional, and psychological suffering for both Ethan and his mother, exposing the airline’s callous indifference to their well-being.

 

This case is not merely an unfortunate oversight; it reflects a deeper, systemic issue of discrimination and criminal negligence against one of society’s most vulnerable—an innocent child and his caregiver. Air Canada’s actions are a glaring violation of human rights and a blatant dismissal of the principles enshrined in the UNHCR Law of Accessibility, which guarantees all disabled individuals the right to travel with dignity, respect, and adequate support.

Adding to the gravity of this failure is the fact that Air Canada’s behavior directly contradicts its own stated mission under the Air Canada Foundation ‘to support seriously ill, physically challenged, and underprivileged children’. By denying Ethan his basic rights and failing to accommodate his needs, Air Canada has betrayed its core values and mission, replacing them with negligence and disregard.

Why It’s Important:
This incident highlights a broader problem within Air Canada’s operations regarding inclusivity and accessibility for disabled passengers. Denying basic accommodations and accessibility services, and subjecting a child to additional trauma demonstrates a lack of empathy, professionalism, and adherence to ethical standards.

 

Disabled passengers have the right to travel with respect and dignity. The neglect and discrimination faced by Ethan and his mother reflect poorly on Air Canada’s commitment to serving all passengers equitably. These failures have caused immense harm to the affected family and eroded public trust in Air Canada’s ability to provide a safe and inclusive environment for people with special needs.

What We Want:
We demand that Air Canada:

1.     Public Apology and Compensation to the affected family, acknowledging the harm caused, and providing adequate compensation for their distress and damages.

 

2.     Release Evidence: Provide all relevant audio recordings and airport footage to support the family’s pursuit of justice.

3.     Implement Comprehensive Training Programs for all staff to ensure they can appropriately assist passengers with disabilities.

 

4.     Ensure Availability of Necessary Services: Guarantee that wheelchairs and other accommodations are consistently available and well-maintained.

 

5.     Establish a Clear Policy for Accessibility: Create and enforce policies to promptly and respectfully address the needs of disabled passengers.

 

6.     Hold Staff Accountable: Terminate and hold criminally liable any staff involved in causing harm or neglect to the affected passengers.

 

We urge the Canadian government to:

 

1. Suspend Air Canada’s services  until Justice to Ethan Nikko vida is served and reforms are implemented.

 

2. Enforce Public accountability: Ensure Air Canada’s  respect for the rights of disabled individuals by practicing public fair accountability of Air Canada negligence and violation of human rights.

 

3.  Legislate access to evidence that allows victims, especially those from vulnerable sectors such as individuals with special needs, to have direct access to video footage related to incidents involving them. This measure is crucial to protect these individuals from potential abuses of authority by airlines, airports, and security personnel.

 

4. Protection against Privacy Act: Prevent misuse of the privacy act to shield abusive behaviors of officials in positions of power. Any legislation that obstructs the fair accountability of negligent staff must be repealed. Actions that cover up evidence of abuse under the guise of the Privacy Act should be considered criminal offenses, subject to strict penalties.

5. Mandate Criminal Reporting: Require Air Canada to report incidents of staff negligence or abuse to law enforcement promptly, ensuring justice for victims.

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We urgently call on everyone to join the boycott of Air Canada until they take meaningful steps to address their systemic issues and improve services for disabled passengers. The traumatic experiences faced by Ethan Vida and his family highlight the complete failure of Canada's special needs accessibility legislation and violation of the United Nations Human Rights Charter. This underscores the urgent need for accountability and action. We must stand united in seeking justice for Ethan, who deserves a safe and respectful environment in his home country. Together, we can advocate for the rights of all disabled individuals and ensure that their humanity is recognized and upheld.

Time is of the essence in the case of Ethan Vida. Every passing second carries immense weight for this fragile, innocent child whose health and life have already been gravely endangered by Air Canada's inhumane actions. The complications brought about by their treatment of Ethan have not only exacerbated his health conditions but have also placed him in a situation of significant and life-threatening risk.

We urge you to join hands in supporting Ethan's cause, ensuring that no other child or individual with disabilities has to endure such mistreatment. Justice delayed is justice denied—let us act now, for Ethan and for the countless others who depend on fairness and compassion.

 https://www.instagram.com/ethanvida/

https://x.com/EthanNikko
For inquiries, incident details, or support, please contact Mother Arabella Vida via WhatsApp or text at +6136143736 or email at [email protected].