Airport Accessibility Regulations and Guidance
Did You Know? Once you get on an airplane, the rights of people with disabilities are not covered by the ADA. They are covered by the Air Carrier Access Act (49 U.S.C. 1374 (c)).
- Air Carrier Access Act of 1986
DOT rule (Title 14 CFR Part 382)
Part 382—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel
Source: Government Publishing Office
Link: www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ae47679a5dc0b0cdd685abc7e3437dbb&mc=true&node=pt14.4.382&rgn=div5
This rule prohibits both U.S. and foreign carriers from discriminating against passengers on the basis of disability; requires carriers to make aircraft, other facilities, and services accessible; and requires carriers to take steps to accommodate passengers with a disability. - Rights of Passengers with Disabilities – Summary of the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA)
Source: U. S. Department of Transportation
Link: www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/passengers-disabilities - Air Carrier Access Act Fact Sheet (PDF)
This fact sheet outlines the rights of passengers with disabilities traveling on U.S. airlines.
Source: Research and Training Center on Promoting Interventions for Community Living (RTC/PICL)
Link: ctb.ku.edu/clresources/wp-content/uploads/Air-Carrier-Access-Act-ACAA-fact-sheet-also-in-out-and-about-folder-Fixed.pdf - Aviation Consumer Protection Information
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
Link: www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disability
A compilation of rules, guidance, enforcement orders and publications on disability issues in aviation. - Major Airline Accessibility Reforms Signed Into Law
Source: New Mobility, Southeast ADA Center
Link: newmobility.com/major-airline-accessibility-reforms-signed-into-law/
On October 5, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, which includes a number of key reforms to protect the rights of disabled airline passengers and resolve some of the myriad issues that disabled passengers encounter at the airport and on the airplane. - Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018
Source: Congress.gov
Link: www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4/text - ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities
Source: New England ADA Center
Link: adachecklist.org/
Many businesses and state and local governments use this checklist to evaluate the accessibility of their facilities. - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel: Accessible Automated Kiosks at U.S. Airports
Source: Regulations.gov
Link: www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/Kiosk-Website-NPRM
This U.S. Department of Transportation rule requires that airports provide equal access to passengers with disabilities who use air carrier’s automated kiosks or purchase tickets online. - Passengers with Disabilities: Airport Accessibility Barriers and Practices and DOT’s Oversight of Airlines’ Disability-Related Training
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office
Link:www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-354 - Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
Link: www.transit.dot.gov/title6
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. - Traveling with a Disability
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/traveling-disability
Specific Travel Topics from The U.S. Department of Transportation:
- Wheelchairs and Other Assistive Devices
Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/wheelchairs-and-other-assistive-devices - Assistance Moving Throughout the Airport
Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/wheelchair-and-guided-assistance - Seating Accommodations
Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/seating-accommodations - Service Animals (includes emotional support animals)
Link: www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals-including-emotional-support-animals
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals with Traveling
- Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Source: ADA National Network
Link: adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet
Outlines ADA requirements for service animals and emotional support animals. - Air Carrier Access Act: Service Animals
Source: Southwest ADA Center
Link: www.southwestada.org/html/topical/aircarrier/aircarrier_serviceanimals.html
Question and answer: Must carriers permit passengers with a disability to travel with service animals? - Video: Traveling with Service Animals [YouTube, 5:29 min.]
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZhruHJKdA
This captioned video outlines the requirements for traveling with service animals under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).
Other Resources to Improve Airport Accessibility
- Atlanta Airport Accessibility Information
Source: Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport
Link: www.atl.com/ada/
Their mission is to provide a safe, enjoyable travel experience as well as equal access for guests and passengers with disabilities and/or special needs at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. - AMAC Accessibility
Source: Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Link: www.amacusg.org
Provides practical solutions for real challenges faced daily by individuals with disabilities. AMAC offers corporate, governmental and nonprofit memberships for services, including disability compliance consultation, Braille, captioning, accessible digital content and assistive technology. - Accessible Airport Terminals
Source: Accessibility Online
Link: www.accessibilityonline.org/ao/archives/110663
This webinar from June 7, 2018 reviews solutions to common access issues in airports. It focuses on areas of special concern such as accessible passenger loading zones, self-service ticketing kiosks, security checkpoints, boarding bridges and devices, signage, sales and service counters, communication systems, and service animal relief areas. - ADA Live! Episode 39: Universal Design
Source: ADA Live, Southeast ADA Center
Link: www.adalive.org/episode39
Listen to the audio file or read the transcript - Universal Design Resource List from ADALive!
Link: www.adalive.org/episode39_resources
Universal Design is changing the world we live in by making buildings, products and environments that are accessible to all – people with disabilities and those without disabilities. - ACAA Requirements for Airport Websites and Kiosks
Source: Level Access
Link: www.levelaccess.com/accessibility-regulations/air-carrier-access-act/
Information on ACAA requirements for airport kiosk and website accessibility are explained in plain language. - Getting There and Back Again: Air Travel for People with Disabilities
Source: Level Access
Link: www.levelaccess.com/air-travel-for-people-with-disabilities/
Web-based functions of the air travel experience should be accessible to all travelers, regardless of disability. - Open Doors Organization (ODO)
Source: Open Doors Organization (ODO)
Link: opendoorsnfp.org
Focused on the fields of hospitality and transportation, this organization conducts market research, disability awareness training, educational seminars, and diversity programs that improve the quality of life for the individual with a disability while opening doors to businesses and society. - Disability Training Materials and Helpful Information
Source: U. S. Department of Transportation
Link: www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disability-training
These modular programs can be used to assist individuals with disabilities and to supplement the training and education of airline employees and contractors. The programs focus on the rights and responsibilities of individuals and airlines under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).