Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) has announced it has issued a call to action to support efforts to support air travel for people with disabilities, the company said.
PVA has alerted the public to the challenges people with disabilities commonly faced during air travel. The organization calls on Congress to pass legislation requiring accessible design standards that would include a path of travel for people with disabilities onto airplanes and improve enforcement of passenger rights for travelers under the Air Carrier Access Act with a private right of action. Furthermore, we urge airlines to increase training of their personnel and contractors to assist passengers with disabilities during the boarding and deplaning processes.
The 1986 Air Carrier Access Act aims to ensure people with disabilities receive consistent and nondiscriminatory treatment when flying. Unfortunately, travelers still encounter significant barriers such as damaged wheelchairs, delayed assistance and lack of procedures and training for airline staff. These obstacles are not only inconvenient and takes away their dignity, but can cause serious injuries.
The PVA supports the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (S.669/H.R. 1549), which would improve aircraft accessibility for all people with disabilities and enforcement of passenger rights under the Air Carrier Access Act.
Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For more than 70 years, the organization has ensured that veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.
