Host: Cynthia Lynn Smith, Program Manager, Southeast ADA Center
Guest: Steve Mayers, Director of Customer Experience and ADA Coordinator at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Phone: 404-382-2280
Email: Steve.Mayers@atl.com
Contents
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Resources
- Tips for Traveling with a Disability
- TSA Cares Assistance
- Travel and Service Animals
- Past ADA Live Podcasts and Resources on Travel and Disability Rights
- Disability Travel Regulations and Guidelines
- Travel News, Research and Statistics
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Resources
- General Website
Link: atl.com - Information for Customers with Reduced Mobility and Special Needs
Link: atlfly.com/special-needs - Atlanta Airport Compliance with the ADA
Link: atl.com/ADA - Atlanta Airport Compliance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Link: atl.com/ADA/#NonDiscriminationNotice
Tips for Traveling with a Disability
- Information for Passengers with Disabilities
Source: Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation
Link: transportation.gov/airconsumer/passengers-disabilities - Air Travel Tips for People with Disabilities
Source: Mobility International USA
Link: miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/airtraveltips - Travel Tips and Access Information
Source: Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH)
Link: sath.org/travel-tips-and-access-information - Tips to Make Traveling with a Disability Easier
Source: Disabled World
Link: disabled-world.com/travel/disability-travel-tips.php - Rick Steves’ Europe – Tips for Travelers with Disabilities
Source: Rick Steves Europe
Link: ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travelers-with-disabilities - Department of Transportation Announces a Bill of Rights for Passengers with Disabilities
Source: Washington Post
Link: www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/07/12/bill-of-rights-traveling-with-disabilities/ - Article: Traveling Safely with Portable Oxygen: Everything You Need to Know
Source: National Council on Aging (NCOA) (July 27, 2023)
Link: ncoa.org/adviser/oxygen-machines/traveling-with-oxygen
- Information for Passengers with Disabilities
TSA Cares Assistance
TSA Cares is a helpline for travelers or their companions. Travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other special circumstances for additional assistance can call TSA Cares toll-free at 855-787-2227, 72 hours before travel with questions about screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the checkpoint.
The TSA Cares Helpline hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. at 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. at 8 p.m. weekends and holidays (Eastern Time). Hearing impaired passengers can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares (Federal Relay 711) or send an email to TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov.
- TSA Cares Assistance Request Form
Link: tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares - TSA Cares Video Gallery
Link: tsa.gov/videos?field_video_tags_target_id=940&page=0
TSA recommends that travelers check the two links below no later than 72 hours prior to travel. - TSA Information on Disabilities and Medical Conditions
Link: tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures - TSA Passenger Assistance
Link: tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support
Source: Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Travel and Service Animals
- TSA Policy on Handling Service Animals During the Security Screening Process
Note: Choose “Service Dogs and Animals” from the drop-down menu.
Source: Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Link: tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures - Flying with Service Animals or Pets
Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Link: faa.gov/travelers/fly_pets - CDC Regulations – Bringing a Dog into the United States
Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Link: cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html - Air Travel with Your Guide Dog or Service Animal
Source: Mobility International USA
Link: miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/flightswithanimals
Past ADA Live Podcasts and Resources on Travel and Disability Rights
- Episode 62: Airport Accessibility and the ADA | Resources
Broadcast date: November 7, 2018
Podcast Link: adalive.org/episodes/episode-62
Resources Link: adalive.org/resources/episode-62-resources - Episode 72: Emerging Transportation Options and the ADA | Resources
Broadcast date: September 4, 2019
Podcast Link: adalive.org/episodes/episode-72/
Resources Link: adalive.org/resources/episode-72-resources
Disability Travel Regulations and Guidelines
- The ADA and Face Mask Policies
UPDATED – May 4, 2022
Source: Southeast ADA Center
Link: adasoutheast.org/disability-issues/ada-and-face-mask-policies - Court Ruling and Appeal: Federal Face Mask Mandate on Travel and Transportation
Link: adasoutheast.org/disability-issues/ada-and-face-mask-policies/#tsamaskscourtruling
Source: Southeast ADA Center - Fact Sheet: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) [PDF]
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Link: hhs.gov/sites/default/files/knowyourrights504adafactsheet.pdf - Section 504 Regulations
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 794 – PDF) prohibits discrimination against otherwise qualified individuals on the basis of disability:- Programs and activities that receive financial assistance from HHS; 45 C.F.R. Part 84 and
- Programs or activities conducted by HHS. 45 C.F.R. Part 85
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Link: hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/laws-guidance/index.html
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (28 CFR 35)
Source: Federal Register
Link: ecfr.gov/current/title-28/chapter-I/part-35 - Air Carrier Access Act (14 CFR 382)
Source: Federal Register
Link: ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-382
Travel News, Research and Statistics
- Article: Here’s How Many Passengers Flew on U.S. Airlines in 2021
Source: Travel & Leisure
Link: travelandleisure.com/travel-news/more-than-670-million-people-flew-us-airlines-2021#:~:text=More%20than%20670%20million%20people,quite%20reaching%20pre%2Dpandemic%20levels - February 2021 Air Travel Consumer Report
Issued each month, this Federal report gives consumers information on the quality of services provided by the airlines.
Source: Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation
Link: transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/february-2021-air-travel-consumer-report - Current Air Travel Consumer Reports
Source: Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation
Link: transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/air-travel-consumer-reports - Open Doors 2020 Market Study
This is the fourth nationwide study on the travel patterns and spending of American adults with disabilities. Conducted by The Harris Poll in June and July 2020, it focuses on 2018-2019 when travel was still booming.
Source: Open Doors Organization
Link: opendoorsnfp.org/market-studies/2020-market-study - Article: The Number of Wheelchair Users Traveling by Air Dropped Nearly 61% in 2020
Source: Wheelchair Travel
Link: wheelchairtravel.org/fewer-wheelchair-users-traveled-on-airlines-in-2020 - Article: 11 Airports in the USA That Have Adult Changing Tables (April 2021)
Source: Wheelchair Travel
Link: wheelchairtravel.org/airports-with-adult-changing-tables-usa - Article: How Much Does a Wheelchair Cost?
Source: Mobility Medical Supply
Link: mobilitymedicalsupply.com/how-much-does-a-wheelchair-cost - For Some Travelers, Stairs Can Ruin a Trip. This Company Wants to Fix That.
Article: February 2, 2022
Source: AFAR
Link: afar.com/magazine/accessnow-is-helping-travelers-with-disabilities - Despite Calls to Improve, Air Travel Is Still a Nightmare for Many with Disabilities
Article: November 9, 2021
Source: National Public Radio (NPR)
Link: npr.org/2021/11/09/1049814332/despite-calls-to-improve-air-travel-is-still-a-nightmare-for-many-with-disabilit