In 2008 Jetstar denied Ms King Access to a flight on the basis that the flight already had two passengers requiring wheelchair assistance. Ms King has alleged that Jetstar's policy contravenes the Disability Discrimination Act.
Ms King is 75 years old and has post-polio syndrome, and crushed vertebrae as a result of a motor accident.
Australia is the only country where airlines seek to limit the number of passengers with disabilities - and by doing so, seriously limits the ability of people with a disability to participate fully in society.
Ms King is not seeking financial compensation; rather her hope is to change the Jetstar policy so that this incident does not happen to others in the future.
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM has raised serious concerns about Jetstar's policy at a Senate Estimates Hearing on 18 October and has called for stronger regulation.
Joanna Schulman, CEO of the Redfern Legal Centre, says "people with disabilities are entitled to enjoy equality of access to air travel, in order to ensure that are able to participate fully in society."
Sheila King says, "I deserve to be treated the same as any other Australian, not made to be felt like a second class citizen. This fight is for all Australians living with a disability."
The case will be heard from 10am Monday 31 October and is expected to run all week.
