YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

Improving air travel for people with disabilities is an area MDA has been engaged in for many years.

For example, in 2022, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) held a listening session on air travel with wheelchair users.

People with neuromuscular diseases were among the broad base of advocates who detailed unacceptable conditions — everything from injuries caused by improper seat transfers to damaged mobility devices.

In response, the DOT released the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights.

In late 2023, after MDA advocates shared their personal air travel experiences with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials, the TSA invited MDA to provide officer training on interacting with travelers who use mobility devices.

This year, Congress passed the long-awaited Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization. This major piece of legislation includes reforms that will make air travel more accessible for people with disabilities, including:

• Airport and airline personnel will receive stronger, hands-on training on assisting passengers with disabilities and stowing wheelchairs.
• Airlines will be held accountable for reporting damage to wheelchairs.
• The FAA will continue to study the option of allowing passengers to stay in their wheelchairs during flight.
• People with disabilities will have a seat at the table when the government makes future decisions about air travel.

This law is the result of advocates sharing their air travel stories and telling lawmakers how the provisions in the bill will improve their flying experience.

MDA advocates made personal connections with their representatives to provide key information during the reauthorization process.

“I would say that accessible air travel is one area where MDA has helped create immense progress,” says Mark Fisher, MDA’s Director of Advocacy Engagement.