Episode 62 Resources: Airport Accessibility and the ADA

Date: November 7, 2018

Airport Accessibility Regulations and Guidance

Did You Know? Once you get on an airplane, the rights of people with disabilities are not covered by the ADA. They are covered by the Air Carrier Access Act (49 U.S.C. 1374 (c)).

• Air Carrier Access Act of 1986
  DOT rule (Title 14 CFR Part 382)
  Part 382—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel
  Source: Government Publishing Office
  Link: www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ae47679a5dc0b0cdd685abc7e3437dbb&mc=true&node=pt14.4.382&rgn=div5
  This rule prohibits both U.S. and foreign carriers from discriminating against passengers on the basis of disability; requires carriers to make aircraft, other facilities, and services accessible; and requires carriers to take steps to accommodate passengers with a disability.
• Rights of Passengers with Disabilities – Summary of the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA)
  Source: U. S. Department of Transportation
  Link: www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/passengers-disabilities
• Air Carrier Access Act Fact Sheet
  This new fact sheet, outlining the rights of passengers with disabilities traveling on U.S. airlines, is the latest in the “Out and About” series.
  Source: Research and Training Center on Promoting Interventions for Community Living (RTC/PICL)
  Link: rtcil.drupal.ku.edu/sites/rtcil.drupal.ku.edu/files/docs/Air%20Carrier%20Access%20Act%20ACAA%20fact%20sheet.pdf
• Aviation Consumer Protection Information
  Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
  Link: www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disability
  A compilation of rules, guidance, enforcement orders and publications on disability issues in aviation.
• Major Airline Accessibility Reforms Signed Into Law
  Sources: New Mobility, Southeast ADA Center
  Link: www.adasoutheast.org/news/articles.php?id=8831&idarea=General
  On October 5, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, which includes a number of key reforms to protect the rights of disabled airline passengers and resolve some of the myriad issues that disabled passengers encounter at the airport and on the airplane.
• Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018
  Source: Congress.gov
  Link: www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4/text
• ADA Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal
  Source: New England ADA Center
  Link: adachecklist.org/
  Many businesses and state and local governments use this checklist to evaluate the accessibility of their facilities.
• Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel: Accessible Automated Kiosks at U.S. Airports
  Source: Regulations.gov
  Link: www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-2011-0177-0111
  This U.S. Department of Transportation rule requires that airports provide equal access to passengers with disabilities who use air carrier’s automated kiosks or purchase tickets online.
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
  Link: www.transit.dot.gov/title6
  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
• Traveling with a Disability
  Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
  Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/traveling-disability

Specific Travel Topics from The U.S. Department of Transportation:

• Wheelchairs and Other Assistive Devices
  Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/wheelchairs-and-other-assistive-devices
• Assistance Moving Throughout the Airport
  Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/wheelchair-and-guided-assistance 
• Seating Accommodations
  Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/seating-accommodations 
• Service Animals (includes emotional support animals)
  Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals-including-emotional-support-animals

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals with Traveling

• Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
  Source: ADA National Network
  Link: adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet
  Outlines ADA requirements for service animals and emotional support animals.
• Air Carrier Access Act: Service Animals
  Source: Southwest ADA Center
  Link: www.southwestada.org/html/topical/aircarrier/aircarrier_serviceanimals.html
  Question and answer: Must carriers permit passengers with a disability to travel with service animals?
• Video: Traveling with Service Animals [YouTube, 5:29 min.]
  Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
  Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZhruHJKdA
  This captioned video outlines the requirements for traveling with service animals under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

Other Resources to Improve Airport Accessibility

• Atlanta Airport Accessibility Information
  Source: Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport
  Link: www.atl.com/ada/
  Their mission is to provide a safe, enjoyable travel experience as well as equal access for guests and passengers with disabilities and/or special needs at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• AMAC Accessibility
  Source: Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
  Link: www.amacusg.org
  Provides practical solutions for real challenges faced daily by individuals with disabilities. AMAC offers corporate, governmental and nonprofit memberships for services, including disability compliance consultation, Braille, captioning, accessible digital content and assistive technology.
• Accessible Airport Terminals
  Source: Accessibility Online
  Link: www.accessibilityonline.org/ao/archives/110663
  This webinar from June 7, 2018 reviews solutions to common access issues in airports. It focuses on areas of special concern such as accessible passenger loading zones, self-service ticketing kiosks, security checkpoints, boarding bridges and devices, signage, sales and service counters, communication systems, and service animal relief areas.
• ADA Live! Episode 39: Universal Design
  Source: ADA Live, Southeast ADA Center
  Link: www.adalive.org/episode39
  Listen to the audio file or read the transcript
• Universal Design Resource List from ADALive!
  Link: www.adalive.org/episode39_resources
  Universal Design is changing the world we live in by making buildings, products and environments that are accessible to all - people with disabilities and those without disabilities.
• ACAA Requirements for Airport Websites and Kiosks
  Source: Level Access
  Link: www.levelaccess.com/accessibility-regulations/air-carrier-access-act/
  Information on ACAA requirements for airport kiosk and website accessibility are explained in plain language.
• Getting There and Back Again: Air Travel for People with Disabilities
  Source: Level Access
  Link: www.levelaccess.com/air-travel-for-people-with-disabilities/
  Web-based functions of the air travel experience should be accessible to all travelers, regardless of disability.
• Open Doors Organization (ODO)
  Source: Open Doors Organization (ODO)
  Link: opendoorsnfp.org
  Focused on the fields of hospitality and transportation, this organization conducts market research, disability awareness training, educational seminars, and diversity programs that improve the quality of life for the individual with a disability while opening doors to businesses and society.
• Disability Training Materials and Helpful Information
  Source: U. S. Department of Transportation
  Link: www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disability-training
  These modular programs can be used to assist individuals with disabilities and to supplement the training and education of airline employees and contractors. The programs focus on the rights and responsibilities of individuals and airlines under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).