CALL FOR ACTION: Air Carriers Access Amendment Act needs SCI community’s support
As the nation reopens from the COVID-19 pandemic, there has already been a noted uptick in air travel and when individuals with disabilities travel, that’s when all hell seems to break loose with wheelchairs getting mishandled or passengers getting mistreated. While the original Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) was signed into law in 1986, leading to much needed improvements by prohibiting commercial airlines from discriminating against people with disabilities, that was nearly 35 years ago. There is much more to be done and that’s where you’re needed.
Through work with the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) introduced the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (ACAAA) of 2021 (H.R. 1696), in March of 2021. This bill will:
Strengthen ACAA administrative enforcement and establish a private right of action.
Ensure new airplanes are designed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities by requiring airlines to meet defined accessibility standards. These standards will address safe and effective boarding and deplaning, visually accessible announcements, seating accommodations, lavatories, and better stowage options for assistive devices.
Require removal of access barriers on existing airplanes to the extent that it is readily achievable – easily accomplishable and may be done without much difficulty or expense
Congressman Langevin’s office is circulating a Dear Colleague letter to garner support for this important legislation. You can reach out to your Representative and urge them to sign on as co-sponsors and let them know how an update to the ACAA will impact your life. All you need to do is sign this online petition HERE.