Amputee Coalition’s Post

Big news for travelers with disabilities! The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced the largest expansion of rights for airline passengers with disabilities in decades. 🛫 Key changes include: ✅ Improved training for airline staff assisting passengers with disabilities and handling wheelchairs. ✅ Faster assistance for boarding, deplaning, and making connections. ✅ Stronger protections for wheelchairs and assistive devices, including loaner devices and repair/replacement at no cost if damaged. ✅ Rebooking passengers at no cost if mobility devices can’t be transported. This is a significant step toward ensuring safe, dignified, and equitable air travel for the 5.5 million Americans who use wheelchairs. The rule will take effect in January 2025, with further improvements rolling out by 2026. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ev83fDk6 #DisabilityRights #AirTravelAccessibility #InclusionMatters #GUCEDD #TravelForAll

The United States Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg issued new protections for travelers with disabilities with a new rule expanding rights for disabled travelers and a guide for airlines and airport workers to ensure safe, dignified travel for those with disabilities.  The new rule, which is part of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and goes into effect on January 16, 2025, sets new standards for assistance, requires hands-on training for airline employees and contractors and sets rules for how an airline is to act when a wheelchair is delayed or damaged during transport to protect the passenger. #Disability #AccessibleTravel https://lnkd.in/gnHxWY_F

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced new rules to improve air travel for passengers with disabilities. Airlines must provide better assistance, enhanced staff training for handling wheelchairs, and protections for damaged or delayed mobility devices. These updates strengthen the Air Carrier Access Act. #DisabilityRights #AccessibleTravel #AirTravelEquality

✈️ There was a big win in the US for airline passengers with disabilities this week! U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced new, sweeping protections to make air travel safer and more #accessible for people with #disabilities. 🔹 Key highlights: - Airlines are now required to better protect mobility aids, like wheelchairs, to prevent damage. - New standards ensure more accessible seating and improved support for passengers with disabilities. - Better training for airline staff on assisting disabled passengers. This is a critical step in making air travel not just more accessible, but more dignified for millions of people. 🛫 For those of us in the disability community, this isn’t just about comfort – it’s about independence and the freedom to travel with confidence, knowing our needs will be met and our equipment respected. 👏 Let’s keep pushing for a world where inclusion is the standard, not the exception. #DisabilityInclusion #AccessibleTravel #AirTravel #InclusionMatters #MobilityMatters #InclusionMatters #DisabilityAwareness #CaregiversSupport #HolidayEmpathy #BeAnAlly #DiversityEquityInclusion #CelebratingSuccess #KindnessCounts #Accessibility #Inclusion #WorkplaceInclusion #Leadership #disabled #disability #DiversityAndInclusion #inclusivity #DisabilityPride

The US Department of Transportation has issued a new rule to improve air travel for people with disabilities, requiring airlines to provide safe and dignified assistance, enhanced training for employees, and prompt enplaning and deplaning assistance. This rule aims to ensure that passengers with disabilities can travel safely and with dignity, and holds airlines accountable for mishandling of wheelchairs and other assistive devices. By prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity, we can create a more equitable travel experience for all individuals, regardless of ability. #AccessibilityMatters #AirTravel #DisabilityRights #Inclusion #DOT #TravelWithDisability #WheelchairAccessibility #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityAdvocacy #Accessibility

Press Release: New Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced sweeping new protections for passengers with disabilities who travel by air. Highlights include: - Improved assistance for passengers with disabilities - Enhanced training for airline staff handling wheelchairs - Stronger protections for damaged or delayed mobility devices These updates build on the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), ensuring greater dignity and safety for travelers with disabilities. Learn more about how these changes empower passengers with disabilities to travel with confidence. https://lnkd.in/ePaeCRBF #CenteronDisability #DisabilityRights #AccessibleTravel #AirTravelEquality #ACAA

“The era of tolerating poor treatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “With this penalty, we are setting a new standard of accountability for airlines that violate the civil rights of passengers with disabilities. By setting penalties at levels beyond a mere cost of doing business for airlines, we’re aiming to change how the industry behaves and prevent these kinds of abuses from happening in the first place.” This is an incredibly important #Settlement and #Accountability for the #AirlinesIndustry in #DisabilityRights. #Disability #Transportation #CivilRights https://lnkd.in/gdcnAVsP

✈️ A major win for disability rights in air travel! The U.S. Department of Transportation has introduced the largest expansion of rights for passengers with disabilities in decades. Key updates include: ✅ Better training: Airline staff must receive annual training on assisting passengers and handling wheelchairs. ✅ Safe, dignified travel: Improved assistance standards to protect autonomy and reduce injury risks. ✅ Wheelchair protection: Airlines must quickly return wheelchairs, provide loaners, and fund repairs/replacements if mishandled. ✅ Faster boarding: Prompt deplaning support and positioning wheelchairs near the aircraft door. This landmark rule raises accountability and ensures flying is safer and more dignified for millions of travelers with disabilities. 🛫 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ev83fDk6 #DisabilityRights #Accessibility #TravelEquality #InclusiveTravel #AccessibilityForAll #WheelchairUser #ADA #Airlines #HolidayTravel #InclusiveTransportation Craig Baker Mobility Credit Acceptance

President Joe Biden has signed a new law that promises significant improvements for air travelers with disabilities. The legislation mandates training for airline staff assisting passengers with wheelchairs and mobility devices, requires accessibility upgrades for websites, apps, and kiosks, and ensures seating accommodations for those who need them. Additionally, the law calls for the installation of universal changing stations at medium and large airports and explores the feasibility of securing wheelchairs on commercial flights. This comprehensive measure represents a major step forward in making air travel more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. https://lnkd.in/g-8G_Mez #AirTravel #Accessibility #Disabilities #TravelingWithDisabilities #WheelchairAccessibility #AirlineAccessibility #AirportAccessibility #ADACompliance #DisabilityRights #InclusiveTravel #AssistiveDevices #MobilityDevices #TravelAccommodations #TransportationEquity #AviationIndustry #TravelIndustry #AccessibleTransportation #UniversalDesign #BarrierFreeTravel #EqualAccess

Imagine traveling and having the airline lose or damage your wheelchair or other mobility device. This can be devastating to people who rely on this assistive technology to function and be mobile. Unfortunately, this happens more than most people think. Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that airlines mishandled 11,527 wheelchairs and scooters in 2023 alone. Let’s see if the changes American Airlines is making reduces these problems. #Disability #Inclusion #AssistiveTechnology #AirTravel