U.S. Suggests New Regulations to Simplify Air Travel for Wheelchair Users
TL/DR –
The Biden administration has proposed new regulations aimed at improving air travel for people with disabilities, specifically those in wheelchairs. The proposed rules include an automatic violation for damaging or delaying the return of a wheelchair, as well as more comprehensive training for workers who assist disabled passengers or handle their wheelchairs. This follows the Transportation Department publishing a bill of rights for airline passengers with disabilities and establishing new regulations requiring more commercial aircraft to have accessible bathrooms in 2022.
Biden Administration Improves Air Travel for Disabled Passengers
New regulations for airline passenger treatment, specifically those using wheelchairs, have been announced by the Biden administration. This initiative aims to enhance air travel experiences for people with disabilities.
The proposed rule states that any damage or delay in returning a wheelchair will be considered an automatic violation of a pre-existing federal law against airline discrimination of disabled individuals. The Transportation Department indicated that this change will simplify penalizing airlines for mishandling wheelchairs.
Additionally, this regulation requires more comprehensive training for staff who provide physical assistance to disabled passengers or handle their wheelchairs.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “Millions of disabled Americans avoid air travel due to deficient airline practices and insufficient government regulation. This new rule aspires to change that, ensuring safe and dignified air travel for wheelchair users.”
Flying can be a tough, uncomfortable experience for people using wheelchairs. Airline mistakes can compound the difficulty. The Transportation Department reported over 11,000 instances of mishandled wheelchairs and scooters by airlines in the previous year.
This proposed regulation supplements previous efforts by the Biden administration to enhance the flying experience for disabled travelers. In 2022, a bill of rights for disabled airline passengers was issued by the Transportation Department. Last year, the agency finalized regulations mandating more commercial aircraft to have accessible bathrooms.
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