Disability should not deter air travel this holiday season. That’s why Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania wants travelers with disabilities to be aware of the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights. The Air Carrier Access Act, a federal act passed in 1986, established laws to ensure accommodations are in place for people with disabilities to use air travel. You can help spread the word to make everyone aware of the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights by the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Air Carrier Access Act in 2026. These are the ten main rights entitled to anyone with disabilities to make air travel safe and accessible:
- The Right to Be Treated with Dignity and Respect.
- The Right to Receive Information About Services and Aircraft Capabilities and Limitations.
- The Right to Receive Information in an Accessible Format.
- The Right to Accessible Airport Facilities.
- The Right to Assistance at Airports.
- The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft.
- The Right to Travel with an Assistive Device or Service Animal.
- The Right to Receive Seating Accommodations.
- The Right to Accessible Aircraft Features.
- The Right to Resolution of a Disability-Related Issue.
A study done by Paralyzed Veterans of America found 9% of the surveyed disabled community avoid airline travel due to the risk of personnel injury or damage to wheelchairs or mobility aids. Unfortunately, an average of 31 wheelchairs are damaged daily in airplane baggage. Damaged wheelchairs can also result in health complications and lost wages. The Airline Passenger with Disabilities Bill of Rights was designed to empower passengers with disabilities to understand and act on their rights to receive safe and effective accommodations. Share the Air Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights with your friends, family, colleagues, and legislators. People with disabilities can use air travel to connect everyone to family, friends, opportunities, and possibilities.
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Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania is leading the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. Trusted by families for more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education, community, transportation, and employment opportunities. And we won’t rest until every one of us is valued, respected, and accepted.
Easterseals provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to thousands of individuals and their families each year – from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, three approved private schools, adult and senior day services, medical rehabilitation and employment programs, veterans’ services, and more. Our public education, policy, and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans with disabilities today. Together, we’re empowering people with disabilities, their families, and communities to be full and equal participants in society and leading the way to 100% Equity, Access, and Inclusion. To learn more, visit the Easterseals Western and Central PA’s website.
