August is one of the busiest travel months, and navigating air travel can be a challenge for anyone. For individuals with disabilities—and their siblings who care for them—it can require extra preparation and awareness. We have put together a list of resources to help advocate effectively with siblings, plan meticulously, and travel confidently.
1. An Essentials Guide to Accessible Airline Travel – Sophie Morgan draws from her experience as a paraplegic and manual wheelchair user and created a 101 guide to airline travel. She included topics such as:
- Choosing the right airline
- The art of booking
- What to pack
- During your travel day
- Navigating onboard
- Rights on flights
Read the full article here:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/guide-to-accessible-air-travel-flying
2. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) – The ACAA prohibits airlines from discriminating against passengers based on their disability. The Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces this law, which covers all flights to, from, or within the United States. Airlines must offer various forms of assistance to passengers with disabilities, such as providing wheelchairs or guided help for boarding, deplaning, or connecting flights; accommodating seating needs related to disabilities; and assisting with loading and storing assistive devices. To understand the ACAA’s requirements in detail, you can visit the ACAA webpage:
https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/passengers-disabilities
3. Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights – The Bill of Rights applies to all flights of U.S. airlines, and to flights to or from the United States by foreign airlines.
https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights
The Department of Transportation also has specific guides on the following:
- Wheelchairs and Other Assistive Devices
- Assistance Moving Throughout the Airport
- Seating Accommodations
- Service Animals