Sophie Morgan Instagram – Today, The White House and the U.S. Department of Transportation convened to take action on Protecting the Safety, Rights, and Dignity of Air Travelers with Disabilities 🙌🏻.
Attendees included Secretary of Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, United States Senator for Illinois, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senior Advisor to the President, 🤠- Kelly Buckland, the Disability Policy Advisor at the Department of Transportation…plus lots of Disability Rights #Advocates (inc. @rightsonflights, @mdaorg, @reevefoundation, @iamalsorg, @allwheelsupinc, @pva1946 and many more).
The DOT issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). In summary:
1. Mandate annual, hands-on training for airline staff and contractors who physically assist passengers and who handle passengers’ wheelchairs 👍🏻
2. Allow passengers to choose the company/vendor to repair or replace their wheelchairs if they’re mishandled, with the airline covering the costs (no mention of cap)
3. Clarify that airlines must provide prompt, safe, and dignified assistance to all passengers with disabilities 🤌🏻
4. If airlines fall short of these standards or mishandle a passenger’s wheelchair, the proposal – if finalised – would make it easier for DOT to hold airlines accountable for failing passengers who use a wheelchair👊🏻
5. The proposed rule also clarifies that damaging or delaying the return of a wheelchair is an automatic violation of the ACAA. This is huge news.🍾
These proposed changes mark significant progress in our advocacy efforts, clarifying airline responsibilities and enforcing accountability for assistive device mishandling. It’s encouraging to see measures to keep wheelchair users informed and empowered in repair choices, alongside vital staff training.
Your comments on the NPRM are vital for helping the rule come to pass, and we have 60 days to submit them.
Comments can be filed on www.regulations.gov
Docket number DOT-OST-2022-0144.
#RightsOnFlights #KnowYourRights, #AccessibleAirTravel #DisabilityAdvocates #Inclusion #DepartmentOfTransportation #TheWhiteHouse, #InclusiveAirTravel #AccessibleAirTravelJustPlainWrong #FlyingNightmares, #FlightMares #PushingAccessForward | Posted on 01/Mar/2024 04:11:32
