July 15, 2022
DREDF applauds the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) recent release of its “Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights.” The living document outlines 10 fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities and the obligations of airlines (including their employees and contractors) under the Air Carrier Access Act. While the Bill of Rights does not establish new requirements for airlines, it does clarify and remind all stakeholders that disabled travelers have the right, first and foremost, to be treated with dignity and respect.
The Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights consists of:
- The Right to Be Treated with Dignity and Respect.
- The Right to Receive Information About Services and Aircraft Capabilities and Limitations.
- The Right to Receive Information in an Accessible Format.
- The Right to Accessible Airport Facilities.
- The Right to Assistance at Airports.
- The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft.
- The Right to Travel with an Assistive Device or Service Animal.
- The Right to Receive Seating Accommodations.
- The Right to Accessible Aircraft Features.
- The Right to Resolution of a Disability-Related Issue.
DREDF Board Member, Lifelong Disability Rights Activist and Traveler Judy Heumann stated:
“I would like to thank USDOT for putting this document together. Please share it far and wide remembering that many people who should be aware of it might not consider themselves to have a disability and need to be alerted what their rights are. I encourage all to exercise the Right to Resolution of a Disability-Related Issue when you are experiencing poor service such as not bringing your wheelchair to the door of the plane, damaging your equipment and not letting you know, etc.”
DREDF Social Media Coordinator and recent flyer Taylor Heagler stated:
“While much more action needs to be taken for air travel to be an accessible environment for all, this Bill of Rights gives me hope for the future, especially as an avid traveler.”
DREDF believes that equal access to all modes of transportation is a human right and a lynchpin to living our lives to the fullest in the community. We will continue to advocate for safe and accessible air travel and look forward to supporting USDOT’s efforts. We encourage disability community members to share and make use of the Bill of Rights, share your air travel stories on the air-access.org page, and sign and share the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) online petition to pass the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act.
Learn more, including when and how to file a complaint, and read the full Bill of Rights at USDOT’s Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights webpage.
Please contact Carol Tyson at ctyson@dredf.org with any questions.