Congress needs to extend the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) programs in the next couple of years. As Congress examines the FAA’s programs and the air travel protections or lack of protections they should give to all Americans, now is the time to ask your members of Congress to cosponsor and support the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (H.R. 1696/S. 642). This bill, championed by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin, includes a number of new protections that will make air travel more accessible to people with disabilities.
This bill would establish the following:
- Airline Passengers With Disabilities Bill of Rights
- Advisory Committee on Disability at the Department of Transportation
- Better Stowage Options for Assistive Devices
- Safe & Effective Boarding & Deplaning Process
- Increased penalties for damaged wheelchairs/mobility aids or bodily injuries, and allowing air travelers to sue in court to recover damages
- Higher standards for accessibility, safety and airport and airline employee training
Please contact your members of Congress today and ask them to support this bill.