Air Travel
Before you fly, learn
your rights under
the
Air Carriers Access Act
(the
ADA for air
travel). A publication
from the Dept. of
Transportation,
"New
Horizons, Information
for the Air Traveler
with a Disability,"
spells
out the
regulations in detail
(800-778-4838 or
800-455-9880
TTY,
www.airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/pubs.htm).
Make your reservation
and special service
requests (SSRs)
as
far in advance as
possible. Specify
exactly what you need
such
as an escort or wheelchair assist to the
gate, assistance in
boarding (aisle chair),
onboard aisle chair to
reach the restroom
or
aisle seat with a
moveable armrest.
Inform
the airline if you are
traveling with a
wheelchair or scooter
and be prepared to give
details such as battery
type, dimensions
and
weight.
Call back 48
hours prior to departure
to confirm they have a
record
of your
SSRs. We also
recommend that you check
in at the ticket
counter
and again at the gate if
you have special service
requests.
48-hour advance
notice may only be
required for medical
oxygen,
stretcher service, respirator
hook-up, wet cell
batteries, transport
of
a power chair on an aircraft with less than
60 seats and for
groups
of 10 or more passengers with disabilities.
Two types of oxygen
concentrators-the AirSep
Lifestyle and
Inogen One Portable Oxygen
Concentrator-have now
been
approved by the
Federal Aviation
Authority. Among other
obligations, the
passenger must notify
the airline of their
intention
to use the
device, provide a
physician's statement
and bring sufficient
batteries to cover even
unanticipated delays.
To ensure that
travelers with
disabilities have access
to the types of seats
they need, airlines must
block an adequate number
of bulkhead seats and
aisle seats with
moveable armrests. Prior
to the last 24 hours
before a flight departs,
these priority bulkhead
seats may be assigned
only to individuals with
a fused or immobile leg,
someone traveling with a
service animal and, in
specific circumstances,
their travel companions.
Priority seats with
moveable armrests may be
assigned only to
individuals who use an
aisle chair to access
the aircraft and cannot
easily transfer over a
fixed armrest.
Whenever possible,
book a non-stop flight.
For connections at large
airports, allow at least
1-1/2 hours between
flights. The extra time
will allow you time to
eat and use an
accessible restroom, not
available on most
domestic flights as
these
are single-aisle
planes. To expedite
service on arrival,
notify the flight
attendant en route if
you ordered a wheelchair
assist or requested your
equipment to be returned
at the gate.
To help minimize
damage to power chairs
and scooters, attach a
laminated set of
instructions on how to
prepare equipment for
stowage. Arrive early at
the gate to give baggage
handlers enough time to
safely move and stow the
device. Remove and take
on board anything not
firmly attached and make
sure you get your claim
check. On a first-come,
first-served basis,
travelers using a folding-type wheelchair
can ask to have it
stowed in the cabin
closet. You may want to
purchase insurance
coverage for your
wheelchair or scooter.
On domestic flights,
airline liability for
assistive devices is
limited to original
purchase price; on
international flights,
to $9.07 per pound, the
same as all other
luggage.
You can still have a
friend or relative
assist you to or from
your gate. Contact the
airline in advance to
arrange for a gate pass.
The individual must
bring along a photo ID.
Transportation
Security Administration
has specific guidelines
for handling passengers
with disabilities or
medical concerns
(866-289-9673). Take a
copy along and request a
supervisor if problems
arise.
Pack medicines and
other medical supplies
in carry-on luggage. The
strict limitation on
gels and liquids does
not apply to
prescriptions or other
liquids needed by
persons with
disabilities or medical
conditions. However,
they must be packed
separately and declared
at the security
checkpoint.
The airline limit of
one carry-on and one
personal item does not
apply to medical
supplies, equipment,
mobility aids and
assistive devices. These
items are also exempt
from checked baggage
restrictions.
Under the
ACAA, if a
disability-related
problem arises, you have
the right to speak to a
Complaints Resolution
Official (CRO)
employed by the airline.
If still not satisfied,
call the US Department
of Transportation
Toll-Free Hotline for
Air Travelers with
Disabilities at
800-778-4838 or
800-455-9880
TTY, available
7am-11pm Eastern Time.
Motor Coach
Tours and Travel
Under
ADA
regulations for
Over-The-Road Buses, all
fixed route and charter
service companies must,
with 48-hour advance
notice, provide
lift-equipped service.
This obligation holds
whether or not the
company owns their own
accessible vehicles.
To reserve an
accessible room, call
the property directly,
not the central
reservation number.
Confirm that they will
"block" the accessible
room, i.e., put a hold
on it. Should an adapted
room nonetheless not be
available when you
arrive, let the manager
know that it is their
responsibility to find
you accessible
accommodation at the
same price. This is one
situation where knowing
your rights and standing
firm is imperative.
If you need basic
adaptive equipment such
as a shower bench or
ADA kit with
visual alerting devices,
notify the hotel in
advance, preferably in
writing, so that they
can reserve or acquire
the items. For more
specialized requests
like a hospital bed or
Hoyer lift, many hotels
will help arrange
rentals at your expense.
If reservations or
front desk staff cannot
answer specific
questions about
accessibility, ask to
speak to either the head
of engineering or
housekeeping as they are
more familiar with the
adapted rooms.
Properties that offer
free shuttle service to
their guests are not
required under the
ADA to own
their own accessible
vehicles. They do,
however, have to provide
alternate accessible
transportation at no
charge for guests who
use wheelchairs. To
avoid a prolonged wait
at the airport, make
your request for
accessible transport
several days in advance
of your arrival.
Additional Resources
Accessible
Air Travel
Free publication from
United Spinal. To order
call 800-444-0120 or
e-mail:
publications@unitedspinal.org.
Also available online:
www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/accessible_air_travel.pdf
Access Able
Travel Source
Accessible travel
resources worldwide.
AccessAnything.net
Adventure travel site
and newsletter.
Aviation
Consumer Protection, Department of
Transportation.
Barrier-Free Travel
A
Nuts and Bolts Guide for
Wheelers and Slow
Walkers, Second Edition.
By Candy Harrington,
2005, 304 pages. $19.95
including U.S. shipping.
Covers all modes of
travel. A new book by
the same author, 101
Accessible Vacations,
opens with a chapter on
Chicago.
Disabled
Travelers
Comprehensive site with
links for specialized
travel agents and tour
operators, access guides
and more.
Disaboom
New website and
clearinghouse for the
disability community
which includes travel
tips and articles on
specific destinations.
Easter Seals
Project Action.
Information on
accessible community
transportation including
buses, taxis and
paratransit.
800-659-6428 or
202-347-7385
TTY.
Seatguru
Seating charts and
inflight amenities for
airlines worldwide.
US Access
Board
Independent federal
agency that develops
design guidelines and
standards under the
ADA including
for transportation
facilities. Access Help
Line: 800-872-2253 or
800-993-2822
TTY.
US Department
of Justice
ADA
Information Line:
800-514-0301 or
800-514-0383
TTY.
VacationsToGo.com
Clearinghouse for
discount cruises with
detailed charts on the
accessibility of cruise
ships serving the US
market.
