Airline Accessibility for Passengers with Disabilities

SOURCE npr.org
The Biden administration is proposing new standards to hold airlines accountable for mishandling wheelchairs and provide better assistance to passengers with disabilities during boarding and deplaning.

Key Points

  • Proposed rule aims to improve accessibility and safety for passengers with disabilities
  • Disability advocates express mixed reactions, with some feeling the rule falls short of expectations
  • Concerns raised about the lack of specific details in the proposed rule

Pros

  • Proposed rule makes mishandling of wheelchairs an automatic violation of the Air Carrier Access Act
  • Airlines mandated to provide more training for employees assisting passengers with disabilities
  • Requirement for airlines to offer prompt assistance to passengers with disabilities during boarding and deplaning

Cons

  • Some disability advocates feel the proposed rule does not go far enough
  • Lack of clarity on the training airline employees will receive and what defines 'prompt assistance'
  • Ultimate dream of staying in own wheelchair on a plane not included in the proposed rule