Just as the busy summer travel season is getting underway, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced a bill of rights for air travelers with disabilities.
The bill of rights essentially summarizes existing laws intended to protect the disabled when flying. It outlines passenger rights and highlights the responsibilities that airlines have when a disabled individual is flying.
Key points covered in the bill are as follows:
1.) The right to be treated with dignity and respect, which covers a wide range of anti-discriminatory policies that cover and protect a disabled flyer.
2.) The right to receive information about services and aircraft capabilities and limitations . This ranges from information whether a particular aircraft has an accessible lavatory to any limitations that a disabled passenger might encounter when boarding.
3.) The right to receive information in an accessible format . Airline websites must be accessible to those who are visually- or hearing-impaired.
4.) The right to accessible airport facilities . This amplifies the right passengers have to an accessible airport experience and it covers U.S. facilities as well as any foreign ones that the airline may lease.
5.) The right to assistance at airports . This covers protections for travelers who need assistance getting to and from the gate as well as on and off the aircraft.
6.) The right to assistance on the aircraft . This section in particular allows passengers who move slowly or need assistance getting to a seat to pre-board and obtain help getting to and from their seat.
7.) The right to travel with an assistive device or service animal . While this does not provide for emotional support animals, it does require an airline to accommodate a bona fide service animal and any assistive devices.
8.) The right to receive seating accommodations . This covers a wide range of accommodations including the right to a seat with greater legroom, a bulkhead seat, a moveable armrest, something of particular concern for wheelchair users, and an adjoining seat for an assistant.
9.) The right to accessible aircraft features . This requires airlines to offer stowage for wheelchairs in the cabin of larger aircraft and to offer a minimum of one accessible lavatory on board a flight on larger aircraft.
10.) The right to resolution of a disability-related issue . This right in particular grants an individual access in a timely manner to a “Complaint Resolution Official” who is trained in resolving disability-related issues.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
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