Updates on Transportation

Disability Matters with Joyce Bender

October 29, 2019

Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation is hosting an Access and Mobility for All Summit from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm (EDT) at DOT Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Summit will live stream two of the today’s afternoon sessions. The session that begins at 3:30 pm will discuss the future of mobility services as well as inclusive design related to vehicle technologies. Both are panel discussions. You can visit our website at disabilityrightspa.org to find the link for the live streams.

In mid-October, the U.S. Access Board announced it will study the feasibility of equipping commercial airplanes with restraint systems so that passengers can keep their wheelchairs with them on flights. The study was authorized by Congress in 2018 as part of the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. We know how difficult it is to travel by air for many people with wheelchairs. We receive complaints of damaged or mishandled wheelchairs which are stowed in the cargo hold. It is great news that The Access Board will study the possibility of using a restraint system for commercial airlines so individuals can keep their wheelchairs through all phases of their flight. The Access Board hopes to have their study complete by October 2021. The link to information about this study can be found at disabilityrightspa.org.

If you want to stay current with news and information from The Access Board, we also have a link on our website. The Access Board publishes a newsletter every other month that has lots of information about their public comment periods, their regulatory notices, and complaint process. Anyone can subscribe to their free newsletter.

#AdvocacyMatters. It’s important to stay current with news and information from The Access Board. Visit www.disabilityrightspa.org to sign up for the free Access Board newsletter.