The US Department of Transportation is finalizing a rule that will significantly expand rights for airline passengers with disabilities, mandating better training for staff and contractors who assist people with disabilities. The new regulation requires airlines to provide safe and dignified assistance, ensure prompt access to wheelchairs on and off aircraft, and make provisions for damaged or delayed devices.
The rule also sets standards for the design of on-board wheelchairs, which will be phased in starting October 2026. Airlines are expected to rebook passengers with disabilities on the next available flight if a wheelchair does not fit in the cargo hold or mobility devices are lost during transit.
The Transportation Department notes that an estimated 5.5 million Americans use wheelchairs, and data shows that airlines damage, delay, or lose one out of every 100 wheelchairs on domestic flights. The new rule aims to address these issues, ensuring that passengers with disabilities receive fair treatment and safe travel experiences.
Source: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/12/17/new-rule-expands-disability-rights-in-air-travel/31221