A relative of mine who is legally blind on account of juvenile macular degeneration, travelled alone to visit my family in Australia. He was unable to complete the landing card on his own and asked for assistance which was given, up to the point where he had to make declaration about imports/etc. The person assisting him refused to fill the sections in, since (I think) they could only be done by the person for whom the card was written.

To cut a long story short, my relative was pulled aside for not having completed the card, taken away and questioned by immigration officers, searched and had his bag searched in addition.

He was finally escorted out to the arrivals hall by immigration officers since they presumably eventually conceded that he was legally blind.

My family currently are downplaying the whole thing (my mum is upset on my relative's behalf) and I feel absolutely mortified that he was subjected to this treatment.

Does anyone have any advice on how to manage this? My relative has travelled extensively before but this is the first time that he has been subjected to this treatment.