Transportation Security Officers' Awareness Training Recognizes Little People
News & Happenings
July 26, 2007
Earlier this month, transportation security officers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport participated in awareness training that focused on the needs and concerns of little people, who were traveling through the airport following a convention.
The training highlighted the message that little people want to be treated like any other member of the traveling public. Matt Roloff from the television show "Little People/Big World," along with his camera crew from The Learning Channel, joined the training session and filmed TSA's efforts.
Roloff noted common issues he has encountered going through airport security and stressed points TSOs should know when screening little people. The average height of an adult with dwarfism is four feet. "Please don't assume that I'm traveling with someone. People think when they see a little person that they couldn't be traveling alone," said Roloff.
Another tip dealt with shoes at the checkpoint. When a little person needs to put their shoes back on, he explained, he or she may prefer to do so sitting on the floor since it is difficult to bend down or sit in an average-sized chair.
The training also addressed such things as pedal extenders, dressing sticks, mobility assistance devices and bone lengthening devices.
The Little People/Big World show airs on The Learning Channel Saturdays, 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
