In celebration of the 37th anniversary of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a campaign to raise awareness of the rights of air travelers with disabilities.
The campaign, #AccessibleAirTravel, is designed to let Americans with disabilities know they have a right to safe, dignified and accessible air travel. The department said an estimated 5.5 million Americans use a wheelchair, many of whom face challenges when it comes to flying.
“Airline passengers with disabilities deserve to travel safely and with dignity,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “DOT is proud to partner with the aviation industry and members of the disability community to ensure that all travelers with disabilities know their rights.”
The campaign will highlight the DOT’s Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of rights through a video designed to educate travelers on their right to accessible air travel. The department said it is partnering with airlines, airports, ticket agents, and disability organizations, and asking partners to share the video on their websites and social media accounts.
The Bill of Rights was developed to empower air travelers with disabilities using feedback from representatives of national disability organizations, U.S. and foreign air carriers, airport operators, contract service providers, aircraft manufacturers, wheelchair manufacturers and passengers with disabilities who together formed the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee.
Enacted on Oct. 2, 1986, the ACAA prohibits anyone in commercial air transportation from discriminating against person with disabilities. The DOT has since initiated rulemaking proposing that would make it an automatic violation of the ACAA for airlines to mishandle a passenger’s wheelchair.