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## What Airline Employees, Airline Contractors, and Air Travelers with Disabilities Need to Know About Access to Air Travel for Persons with Disabilities

***A Guide to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and***

***its implementing regulations, 14 CFR Part 382 (Part 382)***

###### Table of Contents

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+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   |                                                               |   |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | A.  Introduction                                              | 1 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | B.  Background                                                | 2 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | C.  Keyword Definitions                                       | 8 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
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+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
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+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   |                                                               |   |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | A.  Advance Notice                                            | 2 |
|   |                                                               | 7 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | B.  Information about the Aircraft                            | 3 |
|   |                                                               | 1 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | C.  Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices                       | 3 |
|   |                                                               | 2 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | D.  Service Animals                                           | 3 |
|   |                                                               | 3 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | E.  Accommodations for Air Travelers who are Deaf, Hard of    | 3 |
|   |     Hearing, or Deaf-Blind                                    | 7 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | F.  Communicable Diseases                                     | 3 |
|   |                                                               | 7 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | G.  Medical Certificates: When are they Allowed?              | 3 |
|   |                                                               | 9 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | H.  Your Obligation to Provide Services and Equipment         | 4 |
|   |                                                               | 2 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | I.  Attendants                                                | 4 |
|   |                                                               | 4 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   |                                                               |   |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
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+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   |                                                               |   |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | ######### Accessibility of Terminal Facilities and Services   | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
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+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | #####                                                         | # |
|   | #### Security Screenings for Air Travelers with a Disability  | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
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|   |                                                               | 4 |
|   |                                                               | 6 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | ######### Air Travelers with a Disability Changing Planes     | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
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|   |                                                               | 4 |
|   |                                                               | 7 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | A.  Accommodations for Air Travelers who are Deaf, Hard of    | 4 |
|   |     Hearing, or Deaf-Blind                                    | 8 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | B.  Attendants                                                | 5 |
|   |                                                               | 0 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   |                                                               |   |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
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| * |                                                               |   |
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+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   |                                                               |   |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | A.  Aircraft Accessibility                                    | 5 |
|   |                                                               | 4 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | B.  Seating Assignments and Accommodations                    | 5 |
|   |                                                               | 6 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | C.  Boarding and Deplaning Assistance                         | 6 |
|   |                                                               | 6 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | D.  Stowing and Treatment of Personal Equipment               | 7 |
|   |                                                               | 0 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | E.  Services in the Cabin                                     | 7 |
|   |                                                               | 7 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+
|   | ######### Safety Briefings                                    | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
|   |                                                               | # |
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|   |                                                               |   |
|   |                                                               | 7 |
|   |                                                               | 9 |
+---+---------------------------------------------------------------+---+

+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
| * |                                                      |   | 8 |    |
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+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
|   |                                                      |   |   |    |
+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
|   | # Complaint Pro                                      |   | # |    |
|   | cedures and Complaints Resolution Officials (CRO's)  |   |   |    |
|   |                                                      |   | 8 |    |
|   |                                                      |   | 2 |    |
+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
|   | # Process to Resolve Complaints                      |   | # |    |
|   |                                                      |   |   |    |
|   |                                                      |   | 8 |    |
|   |                                                      |   | 6 |    |
+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
|   | # General Complaint Resolution Tips                  |   | # |    |
|   |                                                      |   |   |    |
|   |                                                      |   | 8 |    |
|   |                                                      |   | 9 |    |
+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
|   | # Recording, Categorizing, and Reporting Writte      |   | # |    |
|   | n Disability-related Complaints Received by Carriers |   |   |    |
|   |                                                      |   | 9 |    |
|   |                                                      |   | 0 |    |
+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
|   |                                                      |   |   |    |
+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
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+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
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+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
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+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+
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+---+------------------------------------------------------+---+---+----+

**Chapter 1: Understanding How to Use this Manual**

**A. Introduction**

**B. Background**

**C. Keyword Definitions**

######### A. Introduction 

### [Purpose of the Manual]{.underline} 

> This manual is a guide to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and its
> implementing regulations, 14 CFR part 382 (part 382). It is designed
> to serve as a brief but authoritative source of information about the
> services, facilities, and accommodations required by the ACAA and the
> provisions of part 382. The manual does not expand air carriers' legal
> obligations or establish new requirements under the law. It contains
> suggested practices and procedures for carriers to use on a voluntary
> basis to implement Part 382.
>
> The primary purpose of the manual is to help you,
> employees/contractors of air carriers and employees/contractors of
> indirect air carriers that provide services or facilities to
> passengers with disabilities, to assist those passengers in accordance
> with the law. Knowing your legal responsibilities will help ensure
> consistent compliance with the law and protect the civil rights of air
> travelers with disabilities when providing services, facilities, and
> accommodations to them.
>
> Throughout the manual, rather than talking about air carriers\' or
> indirect air carriers\' employees/contractors such as yourself in the
> third person, the word "you" is used. In most instances, the word
> "you" refers to personnel who deal directly with the traveling public.
> Moreover, the obligations and responsibilities under the law as set
> forth in the manual must be read within the context of each specific
> employee's duties on the job.
>
> A second purpose of this manual is to offer air travelers with
> disabilities information about their rights under the ACAA and the
> provisions of part 382. Accordingly, in addition to the other useful
> information in this manual, Appendix I contains a list of "Tips for
> Air Travelers with Disabilities" to help ensure a smooth and
> comfortable trip. In addition, Appendix III provides a list of
> "Frequently Asked Questions" and answers and Appendix IV contains a
> list of "Recent DOT Enforcement Orders Related to the ACAA." These DOT
> enforcement orders are useful because they provide examples in which
> DOT has interpreted some of the provisions of the ACAA and part 382
> under particular circumstances.

######### 

######### B. Background 

*[U.S. Air Carriers]{.underline}*

> In 1986, Congress passed the ACAA, which prohibits discrimination by
> U.S. air carriers against qualified individuals with disabilities. 49
> U.S.C. 41705. In 1990, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued
> part 382, the regulations defining the rights of passengers with
> disabilities and the obligations of U.S. air carriers under the ACAA.
> Since then, these regulations have been amended a number of times. DOT
> has also issued guidance to air carriers on the ACAA and part 382 in a
> variety of ways: preambles to regulatory amendments, industry letters,
> correspondence with individual carriers or complainants, enforcement
> actions, website postings, and informal conversations with the public
> and air carriers.
>
> *[Foreign Air Carriers]{.underline}*
>
> On April 5, 2000, the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform
> Act for the 21^st^ Century ("AIR-21"; Pub. L. 106-181) amended the
> ACAA to cover foreign air carriers. Although a final rule modifying
> part 382 to cover foreign air carriers has not yet been issued, in May
> 2000 DOT's Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Aviation
> Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office) issued a notice
> informing the public of its intent to use the provisions of part 382
> as guidance in investigating any complaints of non-compliance with the
> ACAA by foreign carriers. In addition, in July 2003 DOT amended part
> 382 by adding a new section, 382.70, that requires both U.S. carriers
> and foreign carriers to record and report to DOT on written
> disability-related complaints that they receive. At the present time,
> section 382.70 is the only provision of part 382 that specifically
> states that it applies to foreign carriers. Finally, a notice of
> proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to extend the other provisions of
> part 382 to foreign carriers was published on November 4, 2004.
> Therefore, while the majority of this manual does not expressly apply
> to foreign carriers, they should look to this document and part 382 in
> satisfying their general nondiscrimination obligations under AIR-21
> and DOT's May 2000 guidance.
>
> *[Development of Technical Assistance Manual]{.underline}*
>
> In 2000, Congress required DOT to create a technical assistance manual
> to provide guidance to individuals and entities with rights or
> responsibilities under the ACAA. This manual responds to that mandate.
> In creating this manual, DOT held meetings with representatives from
> the disability community, air carriers, and organizations that
> contract with air carriers to provide disability-related services.
> Those who attended the meetings made suggestions for this manual. All
> of these suggestions have been thoroughly considered by DOT and
> incorporated where appropriate.
>
> *[ACCESS]{.underline}*
>
> A step-by-step process for resolving issues involving passengers with
> disabilities appears later in this manual. Whether the issue is a
> matter of law, customer service, or both, the ACCESS checklist will be
> useful in identifying the needs of passengers with disabilities and
> determining what accommodations the air carriers are required to
> provide as a matter of law. *See* Chapter 6, section B.

***How to use this Manual***

> This manual is structured in the same sequence as the steps a
> passenger would encounter on a trip, *i.e.*, requirements concerning

-   planning a flight,

-   the airport experience,

-   enplaning, deplaning, and making connections,

-   services during a flight, and

-   responding to disability-related complaints.

> This manual contains the following tools to assist you in quickly and
> easily finding the answer to your questions:

-   A Table of Contents at the beginning of the manual;

-   An Alphabetical Index at the back of the manual; and

-   A part 382 Index listing the citations to part 382 at the back of
    the manual.

> Also, the following appendices appear at the end of the manual:

-   Appendix I: "Tips for Air Travelers with Disabilities" as they
    relate to the most commonly-used accommodations, facilities, and
    services that carriers are required to make available to such
    passengers;

-   Appendix II: a list of concerns applicable mainly to air carrier
    management, as opposed to frontline customer service personnel;

-   Appendix III: a list of "Frequently Asked Questions" and answers;

-   Appendix IV: a list of "Recent DOT Enforcement Orders Related to the
    ACAA";

-   Appendix V: the full text of part 382; and

-   Appendix VI: the DOT document "Guidance Concerning Service Animals
    in Air Transportation."

> ***Themes of this Manual***
>
> *[Legal Requirements and Customer Service]{.underline}*
>
> This manual highlights the difference between actions you must take
> according to the law as stated in part 382 and actions that you may
> choose to take in an effort to provide superior customer service to
> passengers with disabilities. Legal requirements are generally
> designated by the words, "must" or "shall" in the manual. Words such
> as "should" or "may" indicate accommodations that part 382 does not
> require but that DOT recommends and that you may decide to provide as
> a matter of good customer service.
>
> *[Safety]{.underline}*
>
> Where applicable, this manual discusses how to properly and lawfully
> consider aircraft and passenger safety when providing transportation
> to passengers with disabilities. Part 382 does not require or
> authorize you to disregard FAA safety regulations. Where different
> treatment of passengers with disabilities or other restrictions are
> mandated by an FAA safety regulation, part 382 allows you to comply
> with the FAA safety regulation. For example, if an FAA safety rule
> provides that only persons who can perform certain functions can sit
> in an exit row, then you can request that an individual unable to
> perform those functions (regardless of whether that individual has a
> disability) sit in another row. If the passenger refuses, you can
> properly deny transportation to such passengers.
>
> However, where an optional carrier action that is not required by FAA
> rules would result in different treatment of passengers with
> disabilities, or in other restrictions, then the ACAA and the
> provisions of part 382 prohibit you from implementing the optional
> carrier action even if it might ensure safety. For instance, suppose
> ABC Airways required only passengers with disabilities -- not all
> passengers -- to provide correct answers to a quiz about the content
> of a safety briefing and a passenger with a disability either refused
> to respond or failed such a quiz. It would *not* be appropriate to
> deny transportation to a passenger with a disability on such grounds
> unless the carrier's policies and procedures consistently treated all
> passengers in a similar manner.
>
> In short, part 382 is consistent with FAA safety requirements as it
> allows you to follow FAA safety rules and to ensure that the safe
> completion of the flight or the health and safety of other passengers
> are not jeopardized. Determinations about whether an FAA rule requires
> different treatment of a passenger with a disability for safety
> reasons often depend on the circumstances you encounter. Therefore, it
> is important that you seek information from passengers with
> disabilities and their traveling companions and make a reasonable
> judgment considering all available information.
>
> The FAA safety mandates can be found in the Code of Federal
> Regulations (14 CFR parts 60 through 139), FAA guidance interpreting
> these regulations, and Airworthiness Directives (*see*
> [www.faa.gov](http://www.faa.gov/), click on "Aircraft Guidance" and
> then click on "Airworthiness Directives").
>
> *[Security]{.underline}*
>
> This manual addresses security procedures, particularly those enacted
> after the terrorist hijackings and tragic events of September 11,
> 2001, which affect or may affect the types of accommodations and
> services provided to passengers with disabilities. Similar to the
> situation involving FAA safety requirements, part 382 is consistent
> with security requirements mandated by the Transportation Security
> Administration (TSA). For example, TSA has strict rules as to which
> persons can go beyond the screener checkpoints, but these TSA rules
> are consistent with part 382 and do not invalidate your obligation to
> provide enplaning and deplaning assistance requested by passengers
> with disabilities, including assistance beyond screener checkpoints.
> You do have discretion in how that assistance is provided. You can
> provide (i) a "pass" allowing an individual who needs to assist a
> passenger with a disability to go through the screener checkpoint
> without a ticket; (ii) assistance directly to the passenger; or (iii)
> both.
>
> *[Contractors]{.underline}*
>
> This manual recognizes the important role that contractors play in
> providing services, equipment, and other accommodations to passengers
> with disabilities. A contactor is an entity that has a business
> arrangement with an air carrier to perform functions that the ACAA and
> part 382 would otherwise require the air carrier to perform with its
> own employees. Contractors provide a variety of services on behalf of
> air carriers in furnishing assistance to persons with disabilities.
> For example, contractors often provide wheelchair service, assist
> passengers with disabilities on and off aircraft, transport passengers
> with disabilities between departure gates, and work as baggage
> handlers who handle passengers' wheelchairs and other assistive
> devices. Contractors must provide the same services, equipment, and
> other accommodations required of an air carrier and its employees by
> the ACAA and part 382. As an employee of a contractor, you are
> therefore required to follow the mandates of the ACAA and part 382
> when providing services, equipment, and other accommodations to
> passengers with disabilities. If you do not follow the mandates of the
> ACAA and part 382, the air carrier is subject to enforcement action by
> DOT for your failure.

##### **C. Keyword Definitions**

> Following is a list of key words whose definitions will help you fully
> understand this manual.

**Air Carrier:**

> Any United States company that provides air transportation, either
> directly or indirectly or by a lease or any other arrangement. \[Sec.
> 382.5\]
>
> **Air Carrier Airport:**
>
> A public, commercial service airport which enplanes annually 2,500 or
> more passengers and receives scheduled air service. \[Sec. 382.5\]
>
> **Air Transportation:**
>
> Interstate, overseas, or foreign air transportation, or the
> transportation of mail by aircraft, as defined in the Federal Aviation
> Act (recodified as 49 U.S.C. 40101 *et seq*.). \[Sec. 382.5\]
>
> **Assistive Device:**
>
> Any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability in
> carrying out a major life activity. Assistive devices are those
> devices or equipment used to assist a passenger with a disability in
> caring for himself or herself, performing manual tasks, walking,
> seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, or performing
> other functions of daily life. Assistive devices may include medical
> devices, medications, and bags or cases used to carry them.
>
> **Complaints Resolution Official (CRO):**
>
> One or more individuals designated by each air carrier who must be
> thoroughly familiar with the requirements of part 382 and the air
> carrier's policies and procedures addressing part 382 and the
> provision of services, facilities, and accommodations to passengers
> with disabilities. A CRO must have the authority to resolve
> disability-related complaints on behalf of an air carrier. A CRO must
> be available to address disability-related complaints presented by
> passengers or other individuals. A CRO must be available \[1\] in
> person at the airport; or \[2\] via telephone or TTY at all times an
> air carrier is operating. \[Sec. 382.65\]
>
> **Contractor:**
>
> A contactor is an entity that has a business arrangement with an air
> carrier to perform functions that the air carrier would otherwise be
> required to perform with its own employees under the ACAA and part
> 382. For example, carriers often have business arrangements with
> companies to provide wheelchair service to passengers with
> disabilities or to handle baggage. \[Sec. 382.7\]
>
> **Contractor Employee:**
>
> An individual that works for an organization that has a business
> arrangement with one or more air carriers to provide services,
> facilities, and other accommodations to passengers with disabilities.
> \[Sec. 382.7\]

> **Department or DOT or U.S. Department of Transportation:**
>
> The Federal agency that works to ensure a fast, safe, efficient,
> accessible, and convenient transportation system that meets the
> Nation's vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of
> the American people. DOT has nine operating administrations, in
> addition to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST):
> Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Federal Aviation Administration
> (FAA), Federal Highways Administration, Federal Railroad
> Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Maritime
> Administration, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration,
> Research and Special Programs Administration, and the St. Lawrence
> Seaway Development Corporation. \[Sec. 382.5\] The responsibility for
> implementing the ACAA resides in OST.
>
> **DOT Disability Hotline or Hotline:**
>
> The toll free telephone hotline system that provides general
> information about the rights of air travelers with disabilities,
> responds to requests for information, and assists air travelers with
> time-sensitive disability-related issues. Members of the public may
> call 1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY) from 7 a.m. to 11
> p.m. Eastern time, seven days a week to receive assistance regarding
> air travel by individuals with disabilities.
>
> **FAA:**\
> The Federal administration that oversees the safety of our Nation's
> civil aviation system. Safety is the first and foremost mission of the
> FAA and includes the issuance and enforcement of regulations and
> standards related to the manufacture, operation, certification, and
> maintenance of aircraft. \[Sec. 382.5\]
>
> **Facility:**
>
> All or any portion of aircraft, buildings, structures, equipment,
> roads, walks, parking lots, and any other real or personal property,
> normally used by passengers or prospective passengers visiting or
> using the airport, to the extent that the carrier exercises control
> over the selection, design, construction, or alteration of the
> property. \[Sec. 382.5\]
>
> **Indirect Air Carrier:**
>
> A company not directly involved in the operation of an aircraft that
> sells air transportation services to the general public, such as tour
> and charter operators. \[Sec. 382.5\]
>
> **Individual with a Disability:**
>
> Any individual who:

-   has a physical or mental impairment that, on a permanent or
    temporary basis,

-   substantially limits one or more major life activities,

-   has a record of such an impairment, or

-   is regarded as having such an impairment. \[Sec. 382.5\]

**Qualified Individual with a Disability:**

An individual with a disability who:

-   accompanies or meets a traveler using airport facilities;

-   seeks information about schedules, fares, or policies;

-   attempts to use facilities or services offered to the general public
    by an air carrier;

-   has a ticket, or makes a good faith attempt to buy a valid ticket
    for a flight;

-   arrives with a valid ticket for the flight; and

-   meets reasonable, nondiscriminatory requirements applicable to all
    passengers. \[Sec. 382.5\]

> **Service Animal:**
>
> Any animal that is individually trained or able to provide assistance
> to a qualified person with a disability or any animal shown by
> documentation to be necessary for the emotional well being of a
> passenger. With respect to emotional support animals, although
> carriers may require documentation to verify that an animal is an
> emotional support animal, such documentation is not required under the
> law.
>
> Dogs, cats, and monkeys are among those that have been individually
> trained and act as service animals. Service animals may assist people
> with disabilities by, for example:

-   guiding persons with vision impairments;

-   alerting persons with deafness to specific sounds;

-   alerting persons with epilepsy of imminent seizure onset;

-   pulling a wheelchair;

-   assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance; and

-   providing emotional support for persons with disabilities. \[Sec.
    382.55\]

**Text Telephones (TTY) or Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf
(TDD):**

> TTYs, also called TDDs, are devices that allow individuals who are
> unable to use a regular telephone to make or receive telephone calls
> by enabling them to type their conversations. The TTY benefits people
> who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired and individuals
> seeking to communicate with them. The conversation is typed back and
> forth and is displayed on a lighted display screen, a paper print-out
> in the TTY/TDD device, or a computer screen using specialized TTY
> software. A TTY may also be used to place a relay call to a party with
> a regular telephone. *See* Chapter 4, Section D.
>
> **Transportation Security Administration (TSA):**
>
> An administration within the Department of Homeland Security that is
> charged with protecting the security of the Nation's transportation
> systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. The
> Aviation and Transportation Security Act, signed into law on November
> 19, 2001, brought airport security (including the responsibility to
> hire, train, manage, and discipline security screeners) under the
> direct authority of the TSA.
>
> **Chapter 2: Learning the Basics about the Law\
> Protecting Air Travelers with Disabilities**

-   **What does the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) say?** The ACAA
    prohibits U.S. and foreign air carriers from discriminating against
    an air traveler with a disability on the basis of such disability
    (49 U.S.C. 41705).

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-   **What is 14 CFR Part 382 (part 382)?** Part 382 is a detailed set
    of rules that define air carriers' responsibilities under the ACAA
    and ensures that individuals with disabilities will be treated
    without discrimination consistent with the safe carriage of all
    passengers.

-   **Who has to follow part 382?** The following organizations and
    individuals must comply with part 382: (1) air carriers and their
    employees (*e.g.*, ticket and gate agents, flight attendants,
    baggage handlers, pilots, etc.); (2) authorized agents of an air
    carrier (*e.g.*, travel agents); (3) organizations and their
    employees that have business arrangements with air carriers to
    provide disability-related services (*e.g.*, wheelchair service,
    baggage handling, etc.); and (4) indirect air carriers and their
    employees (*e.g.*, tour operators) that provide facilities,
    services, or other accommodations to passengers with disabilities.

-   **Who is protected by part 382?** Part 382 protects three categories
    of individuals with disabilities: (1) individuals who have a
    physical or mental impairment that, on a permanent or temporary
    basis, substantially limits one or more major life activities; (2)
    individuals who have a record of such impairment; and (3)
    individuals who are regarded as having such an impairment, whether
    they have the impairment or not.

-   **What is a physical or mental impairment?**

> **Physical impairments** include (1) physiological disorders or
> conditions; (2) cosmetic disfigurements; or (3) anatomical loss
> affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological,
> musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory including speech
> organs, cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic
> and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine.
>
> Examples of physical impairments include orthopedic, visual, speech,
> and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy,
> multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, HIV disease, drug
> addition, and alcoholism.
>
> **Mental impairments** include mental or psychological disorders, such
> as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental
> illness, and specific learning disabilities.
>
> Physical characteristics such as the color of one's eyes, hair, or
> skin, baldness, and left-handedness do not constitute physical
> impairments. Similarly, neither age nor obesity alone constitutes a
> physical impairment. Disadvantages due to cultural or economic factors
> are not covered by part 382. Moreover, the definition of "physical or
> mental impairment" does not include personality traits such as poor
> judgment or a quick temper, where these are not symptoms of a mental
> or psychological disorder.

-   **What is a substantial limitation on major life activities?** To
    qualify as a "disability" under part 382 a condition or disease must
    substantially limit a major life activity. Major life activities
    include, but are not limited to, activities such as caring for
    oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing,
    speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

-   **When does an impairment "substantially limit" a major life
    activity?** There is no absolute standard for determining when an
    impairment is a substantial limitation. Some impairments obviously
    limit the ability of an individual to engage in a major life
    activity.

> ***[Example 1]{.underline}**: A person who is deaf is substantially
> limited in the major life activity of hearing.*
>
> ***[Example 2]{.underline}**: A person with traumatic brain injury may
> be substantially limited in the major life activities of: (a) caring
> for himself or herself; and (b) working, because of memory deficiency,
> confusion, contextual difficulties, and the inability to reason
> appropriately.*
>
> ***[Example 3]{.underline}**: An individual who is paraplegic may be
> substantially limited in the major life activity of walking.*

-   **Are temporary mental or physical impairments covered by part
    382?** Yes.

> ***[Example]{.underline}**: While on a skiing trip, Jane breaks her
> leg and is placed in a cast that keeps her from bending her leg and
> walking without the use of crutches. Jane will eventually recover the
> full use of her leg, but in the meantime she is substantially limited
> in the major life activity of walking. Because Jane's broken leg will
> substantially limit a major life activity for a time, Jane would be
> considered to have a disability covered by part 382 during that time.
> You would be required to provide her certain services and equipment
> under part 382 if requested (e.g., enplaning and deplaning assistance,
> connecting wheelchair assistance, seating with additional leg room in
> the same class of service to the extent required by part 382, safe
> stowage of her crutches in the aircraft cabin in close proximity to
> the passenger).*

-   **Who is a person with a "record of" a disability under part 382?**
    Part 382 protects individuals from discrimination who have a "record
    of" (history of) a physical or mental impairment that substantially
    limits a major life activity or who have been classified, or
    misclassified, as having such an impairment. Therefore, individuals
    who do not have an actual current impairment that substantially
    limits a major life activity would still be protected under part 382
    based upon a past diagnosis (or a misdiagnosis) of an impairment
    that substantially limits a major life activity. Individuals with a
    history of cancer or epilepsy are examples of people with a record
    of impairment.

> ***[Example]{.underline}**: Adam, a passenger who has had severe
> epileptic seizures in the past that rendered him unable to work, is
> denied transportation by airline personnel because of their concern
> that he may have a seizure on board the aircraft. This denial of
> transportation would be unlawful if based solely on the fact that Adam
> has had seizures in the past, because epilepsy may be controlled by
> medication. Airline personnel can lawfully deny transport to Adam only
> if they reasonably believe, based on the information available, that
> his seizure disorder poses a real safety risk to him or direct threat
> to other passengers.*

-   **When is a person "regarded as" having a disability?** Part 382
    also protects an individual who is "regarded as" having a physical
    or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life
    activity, whether or not that person actually has an impairment.
    People can be "regarded as" disabled if: (1) their non-limiting or
    slightly limiting impairments are viewed by others as substantially
    limiting; (2) they have no impairments but are viewed by others as
    having a substantially limiting impairment; or (3) their impairments
    become substantially limiting because of the attitudes of other
    people.

> ***[Example 1]{.underline}**: John, an individual with a mild heart
> condition controlled by medication, is denied transportation because
> airline personnel believe that flying will cause John to have heart
> problems necessitating diversion of the aircraft during flight. John
> is not substantially limited in any major life activity by his
> condition. John has informed the air carrier personnel that his heart
> condition is controlled by medication and that for the past five years
> he has flown on a near weekly basis without incident. Even though John
> does not actually have an impairment that substantially limits a major
> life activity, he is protected by the provisions of part 382 because
> he is treated as though he does. The airline personnel's refusal to
> provide transportation to John must be reasonable under the facts and
> circumstances presented. Arguably, excluding John from the flight was
> unreasonable because John had informed the airline employee that he
> was taking medication and that he had flown frequently in the recent
> past without incident. The reasonableness of the decision depends on
> John's credibility and any additional information provided. Regardless
> of the reasonableness of the decision, the airline employee is legally
> required under section 382.31(e) to provide a written explanation to
> John within 10 calendar days setting forth the specific safety or
> other reason(s) for excluding John from the flight.*
>
> ***[Example 2]{.underline}**: Karen, an individual born with a
> prominent facial disfigurement, has been refused transportation on the
> grounds that her presence has upset several passengers who have
> complained to gate agents about her appearance. Karen's physical
> disfigurement becomes substantially limiting only as a result of the
> attitudes of others and she is protected by the provisions of part
> 382. Refusing to provide transportation to Karen would violate section
> 382.31 because you must not refuse to provide transportation to a
> qualified individual with a disability, such as Karen, solely because
> her appearance may offend or annoy other passengers. As in the example
> above, and regardless whether the decision to refuse transportation
> was correct, you must provide Karen with a written explanation of the
> specific basis for the refusal within 10 calendar days of the
> incident.*

-   **How do I determine whether a person is an individual with a
    disability?** Provide an opportunity for the passenger to
    self-identify by asking how you can best assist him or her.

-   **How do I assist a passenger with a disability?** Ask the passenger
    how you can best assist him or her. A passenger with a disability
    has the most information about his or her abilities, limitations,
    level of familiarity with the airport and airline, and needs in
    connection with traveling by air.

-   **May I ask an individual what his or her disability is?** Only to
    determine if a passenger is entitled to a particular seating
    accommodation pursuant to section 382.38. Generally, you may not
    make inquiries about an individual's disability or the nature or
    severity of the disability. However, you may ask questions about an
    individual's ability to perform specific air travel-related
    functions, such as enplaning, deplaning, walking through the
    airport, etc.

> ***[Example 1]{.underline}**: You may not ask a person, "What is your
> disability?" You may not ask, "Do you have diabetes?"*
>
> ***[Example 2]{.underline}**: You may ask, "Can you walk from the gate
> area to your aircraft seat?" You may ask, "Are you able to transfer
> from the aisle chair over a fixed aisle seat armrest?" You may ask,
> "Can you walk from this gate to your connecting gate?" You may ask (by
> writing a note if necessary), "Do you need me to notify you if I make
> any announcements over the public address speaker?"*
>
> ***[Example 3]{.underline}**: Susan asks for a bulkhead seat because
> the condition of her leg necessitates her need for greater legroom.
> You may ask, "Are you unable to bend your leg or is your leg fused or
> immobilized?" \[Sec. 382.38\]*

-   **What are some of the requirements of part 382 that you should be
    aware of?** Following are some of the principal requirements of
    part 382. It is important to note that the requirements of part 382
    listed below are not meant to be exhaustive. Rather, it is a list of
    requirements governing situations that you are likely to encounter
    on a regular basis.

-   You must not discriminate against qualified individuals with a
    disability. \[Sec. 382.7(a)(1)\] You must not *require* a passenger
    with a disability to accept special services (including, but not
    limited to, pre-boarding) not requested by the passenger. \[Sec.
    382.7(a)(2)\] Instead, you may *ask* a passenger with a disability
    if he or she would like a particular service, facility, or other
    accommodation. In addition, you must not exclude a qualified
    individual with a disability from or deny the individual the benefit
    of any air transportation or related services that are available to
    other passengers. \[Sec. 382.7(a)(3)\] For example, if you choose to
    provide ground transportation and overnight accommodations to
    passengers because of a flight cancellation, you must ensure that
    the ground transportation to the hotel, and the hotel itself, are
    accessible to a passenger with a disability.

-   You must not refuse transportation to a passenger solely on the
    basis of a disability. \[Sec. 382.31(a)\]

-   You must provide transportation to an individual with a disability
    who has an impairment that affects his or her appearance or results
    in involuntary behavior except under limited circumstances specified
    below. You must provide transportation to such individuals with
    disabilities even if the disability may offend, annoy, or
    inconvenience crewmembers or other passengers. \[Sec. 382.31(b)\]
    However, if the person's disability results in involuntary behavior
    that would or might be inimical to the safety of the flight, then
    the person may properly be refused transportation. \[Sec.
    382.31(d)\]

-   You shall not limit the number of individuals with disabilities on a
    particular flight. \[Sec. 382.31(c)\]

-   If transportation of a passenger with a disability would endanger
    the safety of the aircraft or the health or safety of its passengers
    or violate an FAA safety regulation, you may refuse transportation
    to the individual with a disability. \[Sec. 382.31(d)\]

-   You shall not require a passenger with a disability to travel with
    an attendant or to present a medical certificate, *except* in very
    limited circumstances. \[Secs. 382.35(a) and 382.53(a)\]

-   You shall not exclude a passenger with a disability from any seat in
    an exit or other row solely on the basis of his or her disability
    except to comply with FAA safety rules. FAA safety rules establish
    criteria that must be met in order for a passenger to occupy a seat
    in the emergency exit rows. \[14 CFR 121.585\] If a passenger with a
    disability meets these FAA criteria, he or she must be allowed to
    sit in an emergency exit row. As with any other passenger, you must
    look at the individual passenger with a disability and reasonably
    assess whether he or she meets FAA criteria for exit-row seating.
    \[Sec. 382.37(a)\]

-   You must provide timely enplaning, deplaning, and connecting
    assistance to passengers with disabilities requesting such
    assistance. As part of this duty, you must provide equipment
    (*e.g.*, wheelchairs, electric carts, and aisle chairs) and
    personnel (*e.g.*, individuals to propel wheelchairs and aisle
    chairs and individuals to assist passengers with disabilities in
    carrying and stowing their baggage). \[Secs. 382.39(a)(1) and
    382.39(b)(5)\]

-   You must allow a passenger with a disability to stow his or her cane
    or other assistive device inside the cabin of the aircraft close to
    his or her seat if it fits, consistent with FAA safety rules on
    carry-on items. \[Sec. 382.41(c)\]

-   You must allow passengers to safely stow their wheelchairs or parts
    of wheelchairs (*e.g.*, wheels, seats, etc.) in the overhead bin or
    under seats. \[Sec. 382.41(e)(1)\]

-   You must ensure that there is space for at least one passenger with
    a disability to stow a folding wheelchair in the cabin of the
    aircraft if the aircraft has a designed seating capacity of 100 or
    more seats and the aircraft was ordered after April 5, 1990, or
    delivered after April 5, 1992. \[Sec. 382.21(a)(2)\]

-   If there is a closet or other approved stowage area for passengers'
    carry-on items of sufficient size to accommodate a folding,
    collapsible, or break-down wheelchair, the carrier must designate
    priority stowage space for at least one wheelchair in that area. A
    passenger with a disability who takes advantage of the offer of the
    opportunity to pre-board may stow his or her wheelchair in this area
    with priority over other carry-on items brought onto the aircraft by
    other passengers and flight crew enplaning at the same airport. A
    passenger with a disability who does not pre-board may use this
    space to stow his or her wheelchair on a first-come, first-served
    basis along with other passengers stowing their carry-on items.
    \[Sec. 382.41(e)(2)\]

-   You must have a copy of Part 382 available at every airport you
    serve. Upon request by a passenger at the airport, you must make a
    copy available for review. \[Sec. 382.45(d)\]

-   You must provide blind or visually-impaired passengers and
    passengers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, timely
    access to the same information given to other passengers at the
    airport or on the airplane. This includes, but is not limited to,
    information concerning gate assignments, delayed flights, and
    safety. \[Secs. 382.45(c) and 382.47\]

-   You must allow service animals to accompany passengers with
    disabilities in the cabin consistent with FAA safety requirements.
    You must allow the service animal to sit in close proximity to its
    user, as long as the service animal does not block the aisle or
    other emergency evacuation route in violation of FAA safety
    regulations. Often this will mean that the service animal will sit
    under the seat in front of the disabled passenger to avoid
    obstructing an aisle or other space. Some service animals are held
    by their users in their arms as an adult would hold a human infant
    (limited to infants under two years of age) of roughly the same
    size. \[Sec. 382.55\]

-   You must make available a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO) at
    the airport -- in person or by telephone or TTY \-- to address
    disability-related complaints that arise during the travel process
    at all times when your flights are operating at that airport. You
    must provide a CRO to a passenger even if the passenger does not use
    the term "Complaints Resolution Official" or "CRO." When a passenger
    with a disability uses words such as "supervisor," "manager,"
    "boss," or "disability expert" in connection with resolving a
    disability-related issue, you must provide a CRO. \[Sec. 382.65\]

-   You must not charge for services that are required by part 382. This
    means, for example, you must not ask for a tip when providing
    wheelchair service to a passenger. You may, however, impose a
    reasonable charge for services *not* required by part 382, *i.e.*,
    optional services. Examples of such optional services include
    medical oxygen for use on board an aircraft or stretcher service.
    \[Sec. 382.57\]

-   **When am I required to provide disability-related accommodations to
    an individual?** You are required to provide such an accommodation
    when: (1) an individual with a disability or someone acting on his
    or her behalf, such as a travel companion, family member, or friend,
    requests an accommodation required by part 382; or (2) you offer
    such a required accommodation to a passenger with a disability and
    he or she accepts such accommodation.

######### Chapter 3: Assisting Air Travelers with Disabilities

######### Planning a Trip

A.  **Advance Notice**

######### Information about the Aircraft

######### Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices

B.  **Service Animals**

C.  **Accommodations for Air Travelers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or
    Deaf-Blind**

D.  **Communicable Diseases**

E.  **Medical Certificates: When are They Allowed?**

F.  **Your Obligation to Provide Services and Equipment**

G.  **Attendants**

######### Advance Notice

You cannot require passengers with disabilities to provide advance
notice of their intention to travel or of their disability except as
provided below. \[Sec. 382.33(a)\]

*[Advance Notice Only for Particular Services and
Equipment]{.underline}*

You may require up to 48 hours' advance notice and one hour's advance
check-in from a passenger with a disability who wishes to receive the
following services:

-   Transportation for a battery-powered wheelchair on an aircraft with
    fewer than 60 seats;

-   Provision by the carrier of hazardous materials packaging for the
    battery of a wheelchair or other assistive device;

-   Accommodations for 10 or more passengers with disabilities who
    travel as a group; and

-   Provision of an on-board wheelchair on an aircraft that does not
    have an accessible lavatory for passengers with disabilities who can
    use an inaccessible lavatory but need an on-board chair to do so.
    \[Secs. 382.33(b)(5)-(8)\]

> ***[Example]{.underline}**: While making his reservation, a passenger
> with a disability gave the reservation agent 48 hours' advance notice
> that he would need an aisle chair to access the lavatory on his
> upcoming flight. The flight is on an aircraft with more than 60 seats
> and it does not have an accessible lavatory. During the call, the
> passenger is made aware of the fact that the lavatory is inaccessible,
> but explains that he can use an inaccessible lavatory as long as he
> has access to a carrier-provided aisle chair. Because the passenger
> has complied with the advance notice requirement here, normally this
> information would have been entered into the passenger's reservation
> record (otherwise known as the passenger name record (PNR)) by the
> carrier and the request for an aisle chair would have been handled
> through that notification process. You are a new gate agent for your
> carrier and when this passenger approaches you at the gate more than
> an hour before the scheduled departure time of the flight and asks
> about the aisle chair, you are not sure how to reply. What should you
> do?*
>
> *To begin, as a matter of good customer service, you should tell the
> passenger that you are not sure but you will find out for him. You
> should ask a colleague and, if necessary, contact a CRO. When you ask
> your colleague, you are told that all aircraft with more than 60 seats
> in your carrier's fleet maintain an in-cabin aisle chair. Once you
> receive this information you should assure the passenger that an aisle
> chair is available so he can use the inaccessible lavatory on the
> aircraft.*
>
> *[Advance Notice for Optional Services and Equipment]{.underline}*

Although carriers are not required to provide the following services or
equipment, if they choose to provide them, you may require 48 hours'
advance notice and one hour's advance check-in for:

-   Medical oxygen for use on board the aircraft;

-   Carriage of an incubator;

-   Hook-up for a respirator to the aircraft's electrical power supply;
    and

-   Accommodation for a passenger who must travel on a stretcher.
    \[Secs. 382.33(b)(1)-(4)\]

> If appropriate advance notice has been given and the requested service
> is available on that particular flight, you must ensure that the
> service or equipment is provided.
>
> *[Make a Reasonable Effort to Accommodate, Even Without Advance
> Notice]{.underline}*
>
> In addition, even if a passenger with a disability does *not* meet the
> advance notice or check-in requirement, you must make a reasonable
> effort to furnish the requested service or equipment, provided that
> making such accommodation would not delay the flight. \[Secs.
> 382.33(c) and (e)\]
>
> ***[Example 1]{.underline}**: Mr. Thomas uses a battery-powered
> wheelchair. He travels frequently between Washington, DC, and New York
> for business. One day, he finds out that he has an important business
> meeting in New York and must travel up to New York that afternoon. He
> has no time to provide advance notice regarding the transportation of
> his battery-powered wheelchair and arrives at the gate 45 minutes
> before his flight is scheduled to depart. The aircraft for the flight
> has fewer than 60 passenger seats. What should you do?*
>
> *Carriers may require 48 hours' advance notice and one-hour advance
> check-in for transportation of a battery-powered wheelchair on a
> flight scheduled to be made on an aircraft with fewer than 60 seats.
> Carriers may require the same advance notice for provision of
> hazardous materials packaging for a battery. However, airline
> personnel are required to make reasonable efforts to accommodate a
> passenger who fails to provide the requisite notice to the extent it
> would not delay the flight. Therefore, you must make a reasonable
> effort to accommodate Mr. Thomas as long as it would not delay the
> flight.*
>
> *Mr. Thomas is a frequent traveler on this particular route and he
> knows that usually it is feasible to load, store, secure, and unload
> his battery-powered wheelchair and spillable battery in an upright
> position \[Sec. 382.41(g)(2)\] or detach, "box", and store the
> spillable battery \[Sec. 382.41(g)(3)\] within about 20-25 minutes. If
> this is the case, you must accommodate Mr. Thomas, his battery-powered
> wheelchair, and the spillable battery even though Mr. Thomas did not
> provide advance notice, since doing so would not delay the flight.*
>
> ***[Example 2]{.underline}**: Ms. Webster must travel with medical
> oxygen and shows up at the airport without providing advance notice of
> her need for medical oxygen. As a policy, your carrier does not
> provide medical oxygen on any flights. What should you do?*
>
> *To begin, you should confirm that your carrier does not provide the
> optional service of medical oxygen for use on board a flight. If no
> medical oxygen service is available on your carrier, you should
> explain this to Ms. Webster and tell her that the carrier cannot
> accommodate her.*
>
> *As a matter of customer service, you may direct Ms. Webster to
> another carrier that does provide medical oxygen service in that
> market. The passenger should be aware, however, that the provision of
> medical oxygen involves coordination with the passenger's physician to
> determine the flow rate and the amount of oxygen needed and arranging
> for the delivery of the oxygen by the carrier to the point of origin
> of the passenger's trip. Therefore, normally, it is not possible to
> accommodate a passenger who needs medical oxygen on a flight unless
> the advance notice is provided because the accommodation cannot be
> made without delaying the flight.*
>
> *[If Aircraft is Substituted, Make an Effort to
> Accommodate]{.underline}*
>
> Even if a passenger with a disability provides advance notice,
> sometimes weather or mechanical problems require cancellation of the
> flight altogether or the substitution of another aircraft. Under these
> circumstances, you must, to the maximum extent feasible, assist in
> providing the accommodation originally requested by the passenger with
> a disability. \[Sec. 382.33(f)\]

######### Information about the Aircraft

> You should be familiar with and be able to provide information about
> aircraft accessibility for passengers with a disability when they
> request this information. \[Secs. 382.21 and 382.45\] When feasible,
> you should provide information pertaining to a specific aircraft to be
> used for a specific flight. In general, you must take into account
> safety and feasibility when seating passengers with disabilities.
> \[Secs. 382.37(a) and 382.38(j)\]
>
> If requested, you should be able to provide information on the
> following:

-   Any limitations concerning the ability of the aircraft to
    accommodate an individual with a disability;

-   The location of seats, if any, in a row with a movable aisle armrest
    and any seats which the carrier does not make available to
    individuals with a disability (*e.g.*, exit rows);

-   Any limitation on the availability of storage facilities in the
    cabin or in the cargo bay for mobility aids or other equipment
    commonly used by an individual with a disability; and

-   Whether the aircraft has a lavatory accessible to passengers with a
    disability.

######### Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices

> If, in assisting a passenger with a disability, a carrier employee or
> contractor takes apart the passenger's mobility aid or assistive
> device (*e.g.*, a wheelchair), another carrier employee or contractor
> must reassemble it and ensure its prompt return to the passenger with
> a disability in the same condition in which the carrier received it.
> \[Secs. 382.43(a) and (b)\] You must permit passengers with a
> disability to provide written instructions concerning the disassembly
> and reassembly of their wheelchairs. \[Sec. 382.41(h)\] You cannot
> require passengers with disabilities to sign a waiver of liability for
> damage to or loss of wheelchairs or other assistive devices. \[Sec.
> 382.43(c)\] However, you may note preexisting damage to wheelchairs or
> other assistive devices.

A.  **Service Animals**[^1]

> A service animal is (i) an animal individually trained and which
> performs functions to assist a person with a disability; (ii) an
> animal that has been shown to have the innate ability to assist a
> person with a disability, *e.g.*, a seizure alert animal; or (iii) an
> emotional support animal. You should be aware that there are many
> different types of service animals that perform a range of tasks for
> individuals with a disability.

*[Service Animal Permitted to Accompany Passenger on Flight and at Seat
Assignment]{.underline}*

You must permit dogs and other service animals used by passengers with a
disability to accompany the passengers on their flights. In addition,
you must permit a dog or other service animal to accompany a passenger
with a disability to the passenger's assigned seat and remain there as
long as the animal does not obstruct the aisle or other areas that must
remain unobstructed for safety reasons. \[Sec. 382.55(a)\] The service
animal must be allowed to accompany the passenger unless it poses a
direct threat to the health or safety of others or presents a
significant threat of disruption to the airline service in the cabin.
*See also* Appendix VI, DOT Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air
Transportation; FAA Flight Standards Information Bulletin for Air
Transportation (FSAT) #04-01A, "Location and Placement of Service
Animals on Aircraft Engaged in Public Air Transportation"
<http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/fsat/fsatl.htm>.

*[If Service Animal Cannot be Accommodated at Assigned
Seat]{.underline}*

If a service animal cannot be accommodated at the seat of the passenger
with a disability and if there is another seat in the same class of
service where the passenger and the animal can be accommodated, you must
offer the passenger the opportunity to move to the other seat with the
service animal. Switching seats in the same class of service must be
explored as an alternative before requiring that the service animal
travel in the cargo compartment. \[Sec. 382.37(c)\]

> *[Verification of Service Animals]{.underline}*

Under particular circumstances, you may see a need to verify whether an
animal accompanying a passenger with a disability qualifies as a service
animal under the law. You must accept the following as evidence that the
animal is indeed a service animal:

-   the credible verbal assurances of a passenger with a disability
    using the animal,

-   the presence of harnesses or markings on harnesses,

-   tags, or

-   identification cards or other written documentation. \[Sec.
    382.55(a)(1)\]

Keep in mind that passengers accompanied by service animals may not have
identification or written documentation regarding their service animals.
*See also* Appendix VI, DOT Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air
Transportation.

Carriers may require that passengers traveling with *emotional support
animals* present current documentation (*i.e.*, dated within a year of
the date of travel) from a mental-health professional stating that:

-   the passenger has a mental health-related disability;

-   the passenger needs the animal for the mental-health condition; and

-   the provider of the letter is a licensed mental-health professional
    (or a medical doctor) *and* the passenger is under the individual's
    professional care.

> Even if you receive sufficient verification that an animal
> accompanying a passenger is indeed a service animal, if the service
> animal's behavior in a public setting is inappropriate or disruptive
> to other passengers or carrier personnel, you may refuse to permit the
> animal on the flight and offer the passenger alternative
> accommodations in accordance with part 382 and your carrier's policy
> (*e.g.*, accept the animal for carriage in the cargo hold).
>
> ***[Example 1]{.underline}**: A passenger arrives at the gate
> accompanied by a pot-bellied pig. She claims that the pot-bellied pig
> is her service animal. What should you do?*
>
> *While generally speaking, you must permit a passenger with a
> disability to be accompanied by a service animal, if you have a
> reasonable basis for questioning whether the animal is a service
> animal, you may ask for some verification. Usually no written
> verification is required.*
>
> *You may begin by asking questions about the service animal, e.g.,
> "What tasks or functions does your animal perform for you?" or "What
> has its training been?" If you are not satisfied with the credibility
> of the answers to these questions or if the service animal is an
> emotional support animal, you may request further verification.*
>
> *You should also call a CRO if there is any further doubt in your mind
> as to whether the pot-bellied pig is the passenger's service animal.*
>
> *Finally, if you determine that the pot-bellied pig is a service
> animal, you must permit the service animal to accompany the passenger
> to her seat as long as the animal doesn't obstruct the aisle or
> present any safety issues and the animal is behaving appropriately in
> a public setting.*
>
> ***[Example 2]{.underline}**: A deaf passenger is planning to board
> the plane with his service animal. The service animal is a hearing dog
> and is small enough to sit on the deaf passenger's lap. While waiting
> to board the flight, the hearing dog jumps off the passenger's lap and
> begins barking and nipping at other passengers in the waiting area.
> What should you do?*
>
> *Since you have already made the determination that the hearing dog is
> a service animal and may accompany the deaf passenger on the flight,
> you may reconsider the decision if the dog is behaving in a manner
> that seems disruptive and infringes on the safety of other passengers.
> You should carefully observe the hearing dog's behavior and explain it
> in detail to a CRO (if the CRO is on the telephone). If, after careful
> consideration of all the facts presented, the CRO decides not to treat
> the dog as a service animal, you should explain your carrier's policy
> regarding traveling with animals that are not being allowed in the
> passenger cabin as service animals.*
>
> *[Requests for Seat Assignments by a Passenger Accompanied by a
> Service Animal]{.underline}*

For a disabled passenger traveling with a service animal, you must
provide, as the passenger with a disability requests, either a bulkhead
seat or a seat other than a bulkhead seat. \[Sec. 382.38(a)(3)\]

If carriers provide special information concerning the transportation of
animals outside the continental United States to any passengers, you
must provide such information to all passengers with a disability
traveling with a service animal on the flights. \[Sec. 382.55(a)(3)\]

######### Accommodations for Air Travelers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind

If your carrier makes available a telephone reservation and information
service to the public, you must make available a text telephone (TTY) to
permit individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to make reservations
and obtain information. The TTY must be available during the same hours
as the telephone service for the general public and the same wait time
and surcharges must apply to the TTY as the telephone service for the
general public. \[Secs. 382.47(a) and (b)\]

B.  **Communicable Diseases**

*[Passengers with a Communicable Disease Are Permitted on
Flight]{.underline}*

Except as described below, you must not (i) refuse transportation to;
(ii) require provision of a medical certificate from; or (iii) impose
any condition, restriction, or requirement not imposed on other
passengers on, a passenger with a communicable disease or infection.
\[Sec. 382.51(a)\]

*[If Direct Threat to Health or Safety of Others, Limitations May be
Imposed]{.underline}*

Only if a passenger with a communicable disease or infection poses a
*direct threat* to the health or safety of others, can you take any of
the actions listed above. \[Sec. 382.51(b)(1)\] A *direct threat* means
a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be
eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures, or
by the provision of auxiliary aids or services.

If you are faced with particular circumstances where you are required to
make a determination as to whether a passenger with a communicable
disease or infection poses a direct threat to the health or safety of
others, you must make an individualized assessment based on a reasonable
judgment, ***relying on current medical knowledge or the best available
objective evidence.*** If the presentation of a medical certificate
would alleviate concerns over the passenger's condition, or reasonable
modification of policies, practices, or procedures would lessen the risk
to other passengers, then you should consider this in making such an
individualized assessment. You should also confer with appropriate
medical personnel and a CRO when making this assessment.

*[If the Passenger Poses a Direct Threat to the Health and Safety of
Others]{.underline}*

If, in your estimation, a passenger with a communicable disease or
infection poses a direct threat to the health or safety of other
passengers, you may (i) refuse to provide transportation to that person;
(ii) require that person to provide a medical certificate stating that
the disease at its current stage would not be transmittable during the
normal course of a flight or, if applicable, describing measures that
would prevent transmission during the flight \[Sec. 382.53(c)\]; or
(iii) impose on that passenger a special condition or restriction
(*e.g*., wearing a mask). You must ***choose the least restrictive*** of
the three options set forth above that would accomplish the objective.
\[Sec. 382.51(b)(4)\]

At all times, as a matter of good customer service, you should treat the
passenger with courtesy and respect.

######### Medical Certificates: When are they Allowed?

A medical certificate is a written statement from the passenger's
physician saying that the passenger is capable of completing the flight
safely without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the
flight. Except under the circumstances described below, you must not
require medical certification of a passenger with a disability as a
condition for providing transportation.

You may require a medical certificate only if the passenger with a
disability is an individual who

-   is traveling on a stretcher or in an incubator (where such service
    is offered);

-   needs medical oxygen during the flight (where such service is
    offered); or

-   has a medical condition that causes the carrier to have reasonable
    doubt that the passenger can complete the flight safely without
    requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight. \[Sec.
    382.53 (a) and (b)\]

*[Medical Certificate and a Passenger with a Communicable Disease or
Infection]{.underline}*

In addition, if you determine that a passenger with a communicable
disease or infection poses a direct threat to the health or safety risk
of others, you may require a medical certificate from the passenger.
\[Sec. 382.53(c)(1)\] The medical certificate must be dated within 10
days of the flight date. \[Sec. 382.53(c)(2)\]

In the event that you determine the need for a medical certificate, you
should indicate to the passenger with a disability the reason for the
request. You should base your request on the reasons set forth under the
law and outlined above.

At all times, you should treat the passenger from whom you are
requesting a medical certificate with courtesy and respect.

> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger arrives at the gate with her
> six year old daughter. The girl's face and arms are covered with red
> lesions, resembling chicken pox. What should you do?*
>
> *Generally, you must not refuse travel to, require a medical
> certificate from, or impose special conditions on a passenger with a
> communicable disease or infection. However, if a passenger appears to
> have a communicable disease or infection that poses a direct threat to
> the health or safety of other passengers, you may be required to make
> a determination about the best course of action based on the
> seriousness of the health risk and the ease of disease transmittal.
> For a communicable disease or infection to pose a direct threat, the
> condition must both be readily transmitted under conditions of flight
> and have serious health consequences (e.g., SARS). Medical conditions
> that are easily transmitted in aircraft cabins but have limited health
> consequences (e.g., a common cold) as well as conditions that are
> difficult to transmit in aircraft cabins but have serious health
> consequences (e.g., AIDS) do not pose a direct threat to the health or
> safety of passengers.*
>
> *The first thing you should do is interview the passenger and her
> mother to obtain basic information about the girl's condition. This
> exchange should be done discreetly and in a courteous and respectful
> manner. If you still have a question about the nature of the child's
> condition that will impact decisions about transportation, you should
> contact a CRO and explain the situation.*
>
> *Here, the mother tells you and the CRO that the child has chicken pox
> but is no longer contagious. The CRO would likely consult with
> appropriate medical personnel to verify whether the child could be
> contagious based on the mother's statement.*
>
> *If there is a reasonable basis for believing that the passenger poses
> a direct threat to the health or safety of others, you must choose the
> least restrictive alternative among the following options: (i)
> refusing transportation to the individual; (ii) requiring a medical
> certificate; or (iii) imposing a special condition or limitation on
> the individual. If the medical support people indicate that there is a
> chance that the child is no longer contagious but only if a certain
> number of days have passed since the outbreak of the lesions, you
> could request a medical certificate before you permit the child to
> travel.*
>
> *Having discussed the situation with the passenger and her mother and
> consulted the CRO and the medical support personnel, the request for a
> medical certificate appears to be reasonable under the circumstances
> and the least restrictive of the three options.*

*Keep in mind that section 382.53(c)(2) specifies that the medical
certificate be from the child's physician and state that the child's
chicken pox would not be communicable to other passengers on the flight.
The medical certificate must also include any conditions or precautions
that would have to be observed to prevent the transmission of the
chicken pox to other passengers and be dated within ten days of the date
of the flight. If the medical certificate is incomplete or if the
passenger is attempting to travel before the date specified in the
medical certificate or without implementing the conditions outlined to
prevent transmission, the child would not be permitted to fly.*

G.  **Your Obligation to Provide Services and Equipment**

> When assistance getting on or off a plane, making flight connections,
> or receiving transportation between gates is requested by a passenger
> with a disability, or offered by carrier personnel and accepted by the
> passenger, you must provide it. \[Sec. 382.39(a)\] More specifically,
> you must provide, as needed, the following:

-   services personnel

-   ground wheelchairs

-   boarding wheelchairs

-   ramps or mechanical lifts. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(1)\]

> Aircraft with more than 60 passenger seats having an accessible
> lavatory must be equipped with an operable on-board wheelchair. \[Sec.
> 382.21(a)(4)\] On-board wheelchairs must be equipped with footrests,
> armrests which are movable or removable, adequate occupant restraint
> systems, a backrest height that permits assistance to passengers in
> transferring, structurally sound handles for maneuvering the occupied
> chair, and wheel locks or another adequate means to prevent chair
> movement during transfer or turbulence. The on-board wheelchair must
> be designed to be compatible with the maneuvering space, aisle width,
> and seat height of the aircraft on which it is to be used, and to
> easily be pushed, pulled, and turned in the cabin environment. \[Sec.
> 382.21(a)(4)(iii)\]
>
> You must permit a passenger with a disability to provide written
> instructions and should accept oral advice from the passenger
> concerning the disassembly and reassembly of the passenger's
> wheelchair. \[Sec. 382.41(h)\] In addition, you should be familiar
> with how (i) a passenger accesses and uses a particular service or
> piece of equipment; (ii) the passenger's needs are being met by the
> service or piece of equipment; and (iii) that service should be
> provided or how that equipment operates, is disassembled, stored
> properly, and reassembled. Finally, consistent with good customer
> service, you should treat the passenger with a disability with
> courtesy and respect at all times by keeping the passenger informed
> about any problems or delays in providing personnel or equipment in
> connection with an accommodation.
>
> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger using a battery-powered
> wheelchair arrives at the gate and requests that the footrests and joy
> stick be removed and stowed. He expresses concern because after his
> last flight, the airline personnel initially misplaced one of the
> components of the wheelchair when they disassembled it and stored it
> during the flight. What should you do?*
>
> *Presuming the aircraft is the type that can accommodate the storage
> of a battery-powered wheelchair, you are required to stow his
> wheelchair properly on board and you may, if needed, provide an aisle
> chair. As a preliminary matter, you should receive training from your
> carrier on the use of equipment and services for passengers with a
> disability, including battery-powered wheelchairs. In addition to the
> formal training, it is worthwhile to review with the passenger how
> best to meet his needs. For example, you should ask the passenger to
> review the procedure for disassembling the wheelchair, storing parts
> during the flight, and reassembling the wheelchair. Once you are clear
> about the process, you should communicate with the appropriate
> employees to ensure that they understand the passenger's needs with
> respect to his battery-powered wheelchair. Your carrier should have a
> policy and process for ensuring that the battery-powered wheelchair is
> returned to the passenger at his destination in the same condition in
> which it was received by the carrier. Problems concerning the
> reassembly of expensive battery-powered wheelchairs can be minimized
> by following section 382.41(g)(2), which governs the proper storage of
> such wheelchairs. See also Chapter 5, Section D.*

######### Attendants

> Except under limited circumstances, you cannot require a person with a
> disability to be accompanied by an attendant. \[Sec. 382.35(a)\] *See*
> Chapter 4, Section E for a discussion of the requirements for an
> attendant under the law.

**Chapter 4: Assisting Air Travelers with Disabilities at the Airport**

#########  

######### Accessibility of Terminal Facilities and Services 

######### Security Screening for Air Travelers with a Disability 

######### Air Travelers with a Disability Changing Planes

A.  **Accommodations for Air Travelers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or
    Deaf-Blind**

######### Attendants 

######### Accessibility of Terminal Facilities and Services

All terminal facilities and services owned, leased, or operated by a
carrier at a commercial service airport, including parking and ground
transportation, must comply with the Standards for Accessible Design
under the Americans with Disabilities Act. \[Sec. 382.23(e)\] These
terminal facilities and services must be accessible to and usable by
individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use
wheelchairs. \[Sec. 382.23(b)\] For example, terminals must provide
accessible inter-terminal transportation systems, *e.g.*, shuttle
vehicles and people movers. \[Sec. 382.23(d)\]

> As appropriate to your specific responsibilities and duties when
> dealing with the traveling public and consistent with all carriers'
> obligation to ensure training to proficiency \[Sec. 382.61(a)\], you
> should understand how these services and facilities function as well
> as their uses by passengers with a disability. You should also know
> where they are located within or without the terminal.
>
> Carriers must also ensure that there is an accessible path between the
> gate and the area from which aircraft are boarded. \[Sec. 382.23(c)\]
>
> Carriers shall not (i) restrict the movements of individuals with
> disabilities in terminals; (ii) require them to remain in a holding
> area or other location in order to receive assistance; or (iii)
> mandate separate treatment for individuals with disabilities except as
> required or permitted under Part 382. \[Sec. 382.55(c)\]

#########  

A.  **Security Screening for Air Travelers with a Disability**[^2]

*[Security Screening for Passenger with a Disability Same as for Other
Passengers]{.underline}*

You must undertake a security screening of a passenger with a disability
in the same manner as any other passenger. You must not subject a
passenger with a disability who possesses an aid used for independent
travel to a special screening procedure if the passenger and the aid or
assistive device clear security without activating the security system.
\[Sec. 382.49(a)\]

*[Screening Mobility Aid or Assistive Device]{.underline}*

The statement of the law set forth above would not, however, prohibit
you from examining a mobility aid or assistive device if, in your
judgment, it may conceal a weapon or other prohibited item even if the
mobility aid or assistive device does not activate the security system.

In the event a passenger's mobility aid or assistive device activates
the security system, you must conduct the security search of the
passenger with a disability in the same manner as you would for other
passengers who activate the system.

*[If Passenger with a Disability Requests Private
Screening]{.underline}*

You must not require a private security screening for a passenger with a
disability for any reason different from the reasons other passengers
would be subject to a private security screening. However, if a
passenger with a disability requests a private security screening in a
timely manner, you must provide it in time for the passenger to board
the flight. \[Sec. 382. 49(b)\] If, however, you are able to conduct a
security screening of a passenger with a disability *without* the need
for a physical search of the person, you are *not* required to provide a
private screening. \[Sec. 382.49(c)\]

Finally, under certain circumstances, safety considerations may require
you to exercise discretion in making the above decisions. You must
always seek assistance from the appropriate designated personnel in
making such a decision.

######### Air Travelers with a Disability Changing Planes

As an employee of the delivering carrier, on request, you must provide
assistance to a passenger with a disability in making flight connections
and providing transportation between gates. \[Sec. 382.39(a)\] This is
the case regardless whether the delivering carrier has an interline
agreement with the other carrier. Where needed and to the extent
required by law, you must provide services personnel, wheelchairs, and
ramps or mechanical lifts. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(1)\] NOTE: Carriers must not
leave a passenger with a disability unattended in a ground wheelchair or
other device in which the passenger is not independently mobile for more
than 30 minutes. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(3)\]

> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger who developed a progressive
> onset of weakness in his legs during his flight requests a wheelchair
> when he deplanes to assist him in making it over to the gate of his
> connecting flight. What should you do?*
>
> *Because the delivering carrier has an obligation to provide
> transportation to a passenger with a disability to the gate of his
> connecting flight, you must provide timely, accessible ground
> transportation so he makes it to his connecting flight. In addition,
> you should keep in mind that once the wheelchair service is provided,
> you cannot leave the passenger unattended for more than 30 minutes if
> he is not independently mobile. As a matter of good customer service,
> you should treat the passenger with courtesy and respect throughout
> this process.*

######### Accommodations for Air Travelers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind 

Carriers are responsible for ensuring that passengers with disabilities,
including those with vision or hearing impairments, receive the same
information in a timely manner that the carrier provides to other
passengers in the terminal or on the aircraft, including but not limited
to, information about ticketing, flight delays, schedule changes,
connections, flight check-in, gate assignments and the checking and
claiming of luggage. \[Sec. 382.45(c)\] Passengers with disabilities who
are unable to obtain such information from the audio or visual system
used by carriers in airports or on aircraft must request such
information to be provided in an accessible manner.

*[TTY]{.underline}*

You must make available a TTY to permit individuals who are deaf or hard
of hearing to obtain information from carriers. *See also* Chapter 3,
Section E. The TTY must be available during the same hours as the
telephone service for the general public and the same wait time and
surcharges must apply to the TTY as the telephone service for the
general public. \[Secs. 382.47(a) and (b)\] The TTY must also be
available if the passenger who is deaf or hard of hearing wishes to
contact a CRO. \[Sec. 382.65(a)(2)\] In addition, you should inform the
individual about the DOT Hotline that is accessible by a TTY. You should
be familiar with the use of the TTY and its location(s) within the
terminal.

In addition, you should be aware of the option of using a relay operator
to connect one party who is using a TTY and one party who is using a
voice-operated telephone. By dialing 711 on any telephone (TTY or voice
operated) you can contact a relay operator who serves as a "go between"
between a person using a TTY and a person using a voice-operated
telephone.

> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger who is deaf complains to you
> about another employee whom she believes has been rude and humiliated
> her when she asked for an alternate means of communication because she
> was unable to hear what was being said to passengers waiting to board
> the flight. What should you do?*
>
> *As a matter of good customer service, you should apologize to the
> passenger for any insensitive behavior on the part of carrier
> personnel. In general, you should carefully observe and gauge the
> manner in which this passenger who is deaf communicates. When
> communicating, try to use the same method, e.g., speaking slowly,
> communicating in writing or with the assistance of an aid or device,
> etc. Try to find out what happened and what information she missed by
> communicating in an accessible manner.*
>
> *You may also consult with a CRO to see about sign language or other
> assistive services that might be available for this passenger. If the
> CRO is made available by telephone and the passenger requests, TTY
> service must be available for the passenger to communicate directly
> with the CRO. You should also notify the appropriate flight crew
> regarding ensuring that the transmittal of information onboard is
> accessible to this passenger.*

######### Attendants 

You should know that it is generally not appropriate to require a
passenger with a disability to be accompanied by a personal care
attendant. \[Sec. 382.35(a)\] Even if you have concerns about a
passenger's ability to access the lavatory or the passenger's need for
extensive special assistance which airline personnel are not obligated
to provide, *e.g.*, assistance in eating, assistance within the
lavatory, or provision of medical services \[Sec. 382.39(c)\], you must
not require the passenger with a disability to travel with a personal
care attendant except in the circumstances described below.

*[Safety Considerations May Necessitate an Attendant]{.underline}*

In the interests of safety, however, you may require that a passenger
with a disability travel with an attendant as a condition of receiving
air transportation if the passenger is:

-   traveling on a stretcher or in an incubator (where such service is
    offered);

-   mentally disabled and unable to comprehend or respond appropriately
    to safety instructions;

-   severely impaired with respect to mobility and would be unable *to
    assist in* the passenger's own evacuation from the aircraft; or

-   deaf and severely impaired with respect to vision such that the
    passenger could not adequately communicate with airline employees to
    permit transmission of the safety briefing. \[Secs. 382.35(b)(1) --
    (4)\]

*[If Carrier Contends That Attendant Is Required for Safety Reasons and
Passenger Disagrees]{.underline}*

If, after careful consultation with a CRO and any other personnel
required to be consulted by the carrier, you determine that a passenger
with a disability must travel with an attendant for one of the reasons
described in Section 382.35(b) (see above), then the carrier may require
that the passenger be accompanied by an attendant. If your decision is
contrary to the self-assessment of the passenger with a disability, then
the carrier must not charge for the transportation of the attendant.
\[Sec. 382.35(c)\] In addition, if no seat is available on the flight
for the attendant whom the carrier has determined to be necessary and as
a result the passenger with a disability with a confirmed reservation is
unable to travel on the flight, the passenger with a disability is
eligible for denied boarding compensation. \[Sec. 382.35(d)\] For
purposes of determining whether a seat is available for an attendant,
the attendant must be deemed to have checked in at the same time as the
passenger with a disability. \[Sec. 382.35(e)\]

In the event you choose to recruit an attendant to accompany the
passenger with a disability, even though carriers are not obligated to
do so, you may ask (i) an off-duty airline employee traveling on the
same flight to function as the attendant; (ii) a volunteer from among
the other customers traveling on the flight and offer a free ticket for
their assistance; or (iii) the passenger with a disability to choose an
attendant and offer a free ticket.

If the attendant is accompanying a passenger traveling on a stretcher or
in an incubator, the attendant must be capable of attending to the
passenger's in-flight medical needs. \[Sec. 382.35(b)(1)\] Otherwise,
the purpose of the attendant is to assist the passenger with a
disability in an emergency evacuation. Other than the situation set
forth above when an attendant is accompanying a passenger who is on a
stretcher or in an incubator, the attendant is not obligated to provide
personal services to the passenger with a disability such as assistance
with eating or accessing the lavatory.

> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger with quadriplegia traveling
> alone approaches the check-in counter. You have concerns as to whether
> the passenger's mobility impairment is so severe that he would be
> unable to assist in his own evacuation from the aircraft. What should
> you do?*
>
> *You should begin by communicating with the passenger to determine the
> extent of his mobility impairment. As a matter of good customer
> service, you should treat the passenger with courtesy and respect at
> all times. Under the circumstances, you should contact a CRO to
> discuss the situation and determine whether the passenger must be
> accompanied by an attendant. You and the CRO could begin by asking the
> passenger about his mobility impairment and whether he would be able
> to assist with his own evacuation in the event of an emergency. More
> specifically, you should determine whether the passenger has the
> functional ability to make any progress toward an exit during an
> evacuation. If the passenger tells you that his ability to assist in
> his evacuation is limited to shouting "Help!", you and the CRO should
> explain to him that the issue is whether he can physically assist in
> his own evacuation. If not, he must travel with an attendant.*
>
> *If, after speaking with the passenger, you and the CRO determine that
> he must be accompanied by an attendant because of his severe mobility
> impairment, you should explain this requirement to the passenger.
> Next, you should explain that he can choose someone to serve as his
> attendant or you can assist him by recruiting an off-duty employee or
> another passenger on the flight to serve as his attendant. You must
> not charge for the transportation of the attendant. You should also
> explain that the purpose of the attendant is to assist in the case of
> an emergency evacuation.*

**Chapter 5: Assisting Air Travelers with Disabilities**

**Boarding, Deplaning, and** **During the Flight**

A.  **Aircraft Accessibility**

B.  **Seating Assignments and Accommodations**

C.  **Boarding and Deplaning Assistance**

D.  **Stowing and Treatment of Personal Equipment**

E.  **Services in the Cabin**

F.  **Safety Briefings**

######### Aircraft Accessibility

In order to assist passengers with a disability, it is important for you
to have some understanding of how aircraft have been made accessible to
accommodate those passengers. The following features are required for
aircraft *ordered by* the carrier after April 5, 1990, or *delivered to*
the carrier after April 5, 1992. In addition, different size airplanes
must be equipped with different features according to the law. For
example:

-   Aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats must have movable aisle
    armrests on at least half of the aisle seats where it is feasible
    and it does not interfere with safety. \[Secs. 382.21(a)(i) and
    (ii)\] (Movable armrests are not feasible where tray tables and
    video entertainment systems are installed.);

-   Aircraft with 100 or more passenger seats must have priority storage
    space within the cabin to stow at least one passenger's folding
    wheelchair \[Sec. 382.21(a)(2)\] and DOT has interpreted that to
    mean a space at least 13 inches wide, 36 inches high, and 42 inches
    long;

-   Aircraft with more than one aisle in which lavatories are provided
    must include at least one lavatory accessible to passengers with a
    disability accessing the lavatory with an on-board wheelchair \[Sec.
    382.21(a)(3)\];

-   Aircraft with more than 60 passenger seats having an accessible
    lavatory must be equipped with an on-board wheelchair \[Sec.
    382.21(a)(4)(i)\]; and

-   Aircraft with more than 60 passenger seats having an inaccessible
    lavatory must be equipped with an on-board wheelchair when a
    passenger with a disability informs the carrier (providing advance
    notice under Sec. 382.33(b)(8)) that the passenger can use an
    inaccessible lavatory but cannot reach the lavatory from a seat
    without the use of an on-board wheelchair. \[Sec. 382.21(a)(4)(ii)\]

Aircraft in service on April 5, 1990, are not required to be retrofitted
for the sole purpose of enhancing accessibility. \[Sec. 382.21(b)(1)\]
However, with respect to all aircraft with more than 60 passenger seats
operated under 14 CFR part 121, regardless of the age of the aircraft,
carriers must provide on-board wheelchairs if (i) the aircraft has an
accessible lavatory; or (ii) a passenger with a disability gives up to
48 hours' notice that the passenger can use an inaccessible lavatory.
\[Sec. 382.21(b)(2)\] Whenever an aircraft operating under 14 CFR part
121 which does not have the accessibility features set forth above
undergoes replacement of (i) cabin interior elements or lavatories, or
(ii) existing seats with newly-manufactured seats (*i.e.*, previously
unused), the carrier must comply with the accessibility features set
forth above with respect to the feature being replaced. \[Sec.
382.21(c)\]

Where Part 382 requires a particular aircraft to have an on-board
wheelchair and a stowage space within the cabin for at least one
passenger's folding wheelchair, that aircraft must have stowage spaces
for *both* of these chairs and must accommodate *both* of these chairs
as required by law. \[Secs. 382.21(a)(4)(i) and 382.21(a)(2)\]

Any replacement or refurbishing of the aircraft cabin must not reduce
existing accessibility to a level below that specified under the law.
\[Sec. 382.21(e)\] Carriers must maintain aircraft accessibility
features in proper working order. \[Sec. 382.21(f)\]

######### Seating Assignments and Accommodations 

> *[Only Safety Affects Seat Assignments]{.underline}*
>
> You must not exclude a passenger with a disability from any seat in an
> exit row or other location or require a passenger with a disability to
> sit in a particular seat based on the passenger's disability, except
> to comply with FAA safety requirements. \[Sec. 382.37(a)\] If a
> passenger's disability results in involuntary behavior that would
> result in refusal of transportation under section 382.31 and the
> safety problem could be addressed by seating the passenger in a
> particular location, you must offer the passenger that particular seat
> location as an alternative to refusing transportation. \[Sec.
> 382.37(b)\]
>
> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger with Tourette's syndrome -- a
> neurological disability that manifests itself by episodes of shaking,
> muscle tics, and/or spasms and uncontrolled shouting, barking,
> screaming, cursing, and/or abusive language -- approaches the check-in
> desk, self-identifies as a passenger with a disability, and presents
> brochures explaining the disability to the agent. What should you do?*
>
> *As long as safety is not an issue, you cannot restrict this passenger
> from any particular seat, including an exit row. If this passenger's
> disability causes him to physically touch other passengers or flight
> crew involuntarily, safety considerations could require that he be
> seated in his own row, if available, as an alternative to being
> refused transportation. However, if the physical and/or verbal
> manifestations of this passenger's Tourette's syndrome are such that
> the safety of others would be jeopardized, e.g., if the passenger with
> Tourette's syndrome involuntarily touches or strikes other passengers
> or flight crew, it might create a safety concern. Therefore, refusing
> transportation could be appropriate.*
>
> *Otherwise, although the passenger's conduct may create an
> uncomfortable experience for other passengers, if his involuntary
> behavior only amounts to an annoyance and not a safety concern, you
> must not restrict the passenger with Tourette's syndrome from any
> seating assignment.*
>
> *[Four Specific Situations in which a Seating Accommodation Must be
> Provided]{.underline}*
>
> If a passenger self-identifies as an individual with a disability,
> there are four specific situations where you must provide a particular
> seating accommodation, if requested. The four situations are as
> follows:

-   If the passenger uses an aisle chair to access the aircraft and
    cannot readily transfer over a fixed aisle armrest, you must provide
    a seat in a row with a movable armrest if one exists \[Sec.
    382.38(a)(1)\];

-   If the passenger (i) is a passenger who is traveling with an
    attendant who will be performing functions during the flight that
    airline personnel are not required to perform, *e.g.*, assistance
    with eating \[Sec. 382.38(a)(2)(i)\]; (ii) is a passenger with a
    visual impairment who is traveling with a reader/assistant who will
    be performing functions for the passenger during the flight \[Sec.
    382.38(a)(2)(ii)\]; or (iii) is a passenger who is deaf, hard of
    hearing, or deaf-blind who is traveling with an interpreter who will
    be performing functions for the passenger during the flight, you
    must provide a seat for the care attendant next to the passenger
    with a disability \[Sec. 382.38(a)(2)(iii)\];

-   If the passenger is accompanied by a service animal, you must
    provide a bulkhead seat if one exists or a seat other than a
    bulkhead seat, depending on the passenger's request \[Sec.
    382.38(a)(3)\]; or

-   If the passenger has a fused or immobilized leg, you must provide a
    bulkhead seat if one exists or other seat with more legroom than
    other seats on the side of the aisle that best accommodates the
    passenger. \[Sec. 382.38(a)(4)\]

> Regardless of which type of system a carrier uses for handling its
> seat assignments, you must provide the required seating accommodation
> in the four specific situations described above, if requested. The
> type of seat assignment system will determine how a carrier fulfills
> its obligation to provide these seating assignments. You should be
> aware of your carrier's method for managing seat assignments and be
> able to explain it to passengers with disabilities and the general
> passenger population depending on the circumstances.
>
> *[Advance Seat Assignments]{.underline}*
>
> Carriers providing advance seat assignments may employ either the seat
> "blocking" method or the "priority" seating method.
>
> *[Seat "Blocking" Method]{.underline}*
>
> Carriers may "block" an adequate number of seats to provide the
> seating accommodations discussed above. If carriers employ this
> "block" method, they must not assign these "blocked" seats to
> passengers other than the types of passengers entitled to a seating
> accommodation discussed above until 24 hours before the scheduled
> departure of the flight. At any time up to 24 hours before the flight,
> carriers using the "block" system must assign a "blocked" seat to any
> passenger in need of a particular seating accommodation outlined in
> the four situations above.
>
> If a passenger with a disability meeting the above requirements does
> *not* make a request for a seating accommodation at least 24 hours
> before the scheduled departure of the flight, a carrier using the
> "block" system must provide the requested seating accommodation to the
> extent practicable, but is not required to reassign a seat assigned to
> another passenger in order to do so. \[Secs. 382.38(b)(1)(i), (ii),
> and (iii)\]
>
> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger with a service animal calls
> you, a reservation agent, several* *days before the scheduled
> departure of her flight and requests a bulkhead seat. What should you
> do?*
>
> *The aircraft has four bulkhead seats, two of which are "blocked"
> under your carrier's reservation system for passengers traveling with
> a service animal or passengers with an immobilized leg. Since the
> passenger has requested the seating accommodation more than 24 hours
> in advance of the scheduled departure of the flight, you must assign
> one of the "blocked" bulkhead seats to this passenger with the service
> animal.*
>
> *If, on the other hand, the passenger with the service animal requests
> the bulkhead seat within 24 hours of the scheduled departure of her
> flight, you must provide the bulkhead seat to her and her service
> animal to the extent practicable, but you are not required to reassign
> a seat already assigned to another passenger in order to do so.*
>
> *["Priority" Seating Method]{.underline}*
>
> Carriers may designate an adequate number of "priority" seats for
> passengers with a disability who meet the above requirements and who
> request a seating accommodation. In this case, the carrier must
> provide notice to any passenger assigned to a "priority" seat (other
> than passengers with a disability entitled to a seating accommodation
> in one of the four situations discussed above) that they are subject
> to being reassigned to another seat if necessary to provide a seating
> accommodation required under the law. The carrier may provide this
> notice through its computer reservation system, verbal information
> provided by reservations personnel, counter signs, seat cards or
> notices, frequent-flyer literature, or other appropriate means. \[Sec.
> 382.38(b)(2)(i)\] The carrier must provide a "priority" seat to a
> passenger with a disability entitled to such accommodation if the
> passenger requests the accommodation *and* checks in at least one hour
> before the scheduled departure of the flight. If all of the designated
> "priority" seats have been assigned to other passengers who do not
> have disabilities, the carrier must reassign the seats of the other
> passengers to accommodate the passenger with a disability entitled to
> a seating accommodation as discussed above. \[Sec. 382.38(b)(2)(ii)\]
>
> If a passenger with a disability does *not* check in at least one hour
> before the scheduled departure of the flight, a carrier using the
> "priority" seating system must provide the requested seating
> accommodation, to the extent practicable, but is not required to
> reassign a seat assigned to another passenger in order to do so.
> \[Sec. 382.38(b)(2)(iii)\]
>
> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger with an immobilized leg
> requests a bulkhead seat and checks in two hours before the scheduled
> departure of the flight. Your carrier employs the "priority" seating
> method and has designated all four bulkhead seats on the aircraft as
> "priority" seating. Three of the bulkhead seats have already been
> assigned to three passengers traveling with small service animals who
> have requested the seating accommodations and checked in at least an
> hour before the scheduled departure of the flight. The fourth
> "priority" bulkhead seat has been assigned to a passenger who also
> checked in two hours before the flight and uses an aisle chair to
> enplane who prefers the bulkhead seat to a seat in a row with a
> movable armrest. What should you do?*
>
> *The passenger who uses the aisle chair to enplane should have
> received notice that she has been assigned a "priority" seat. Because
> she is not a passenger with an immobilized leg or a passenger
> traveling with a service animal, she is not automatically entitled to
> a "priority" bulkhead seat. (However, she would be entitled to a
> "priority" seat in a row with a movable armrest if she requested one
> and checked in at least an hour before the scheduled departure of the
> flight.) The passenger using the aisle chair to enplane should have
> been notified that you might have to reassign her seat if a passenger
> with a service animal or a passenger with an immobilized leg requests
> a "priority" bulkhead seating accommodation and checks in at least one
> hour before the scheduled departure of the flight. Accordingly, the
> passenger using the aisle chair would be reassigned to a seat in a row
> with a movable armrest and the passenger with the immobilized leg
> would be assigned to the fourth "priority" bulkhead seat.*
>
> *[Seating Accommodations for Passengers with a]{.underline}*
>
> *[Disability Other than one of the Four Types Listed
> Above]{.underline}*
>
> Passengers with a disability -- other than the types of passengers
> with a disability entitled to a seating accommodation in one of the
> four specific situations discussed above -- may identify themselves as
> passengers with a disability and request a seating accommodation.
> \[Sec. 382.38(c)\]
>
> In this case, a carrier employing the "block" method is *not* required
> to offer one of the "blocked" seats when the passenger with a
> disability makes a reservation more than 24 hours before the scheduled
> departure time of the flight. However, the carrier must assign the
> passenger with a disability any seat not already assigned to another
> passenger that accommodates the passenger's needs, even if that seat
> is not available for assignment to the general passenger population at
> the time of the request. \[Secs. 382.38(c)(1)(i) and (ii)\]
>
> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger with arthritis in his spine
> making his back extremely stiff calls a week before his flight and
> asks you, the reservation agent, for a bulkhead seat. He explains that
> it is much easier for him to access a bulkhead seat because he has to
> be lowered into the seat with assistance from another person. The
> aircraft has six bulkhead seats, two of which are "blocked" under your
> carrier's reservation system for passengers traveling with service
> animals or passengers with immobilized legs. One of the four remaining
> bulkhead seats is unassigned when he calls. What should you do?*
>
> *Although your carrier normally reserves such seats for its frequent
> flier passengers, you must assign the remaining bulkhead seat to the
> passenger with arthritis in his spine.*

In a similar situation, a carrier using the "priority" seating method
must assign the passenger with a disability any seat not already
assigned to another passenger that accommodates the passenger's needs,
even if that seat is not available for assignment to the general
passenger population at the time of the request. If this passenger with
a disability is assigned to a "priority" bulkhead seat, he/she is
subject to being reassigned to another seat if necessary to provide a
seating accommodation to a passenger with a disability entitled to a
seating accommodation required under the law, as discussed above. \[Sec.
382.38(c)(2)(i) and (ii)\]

> *[**Example**:]{.underline} Suppose the same passenger, with arthritis
> in his spine, in Example 1 above, calls your carrier, asking for a
> bulkhead seat, but your carrier uses the "priority" seating method.
> The aircraft has six bulkhead seats, two of which are "priority" seats
> for passengers traveling with service animals or passengers with
> immobilized legs. At the time of the call, all four of the other
> "non-priority" bulkhead seats have been assigned to other passengers,
> but the two "priority" seats are unassigned. What should you do?*
>
> *You should assign the passenger with arthritis in his spine one of
> the two "priority" seats, but you must notify him that he may have his
> "priority" seat reassigned if another passenger who is entitled to a
> "priority" seat requests one. On the day of the flight, a passenger
> with a service animal and a passenger with a fused leg show up for the
> same flight and request bulkhead seats. In this instance, the
> passenger with arthritis in his spine would be informed that his
> "priority" seat must be assigned to one of those passengers and that
> he must be moved to another seat. As a matter of good customer
> service, he may be assigned an aisle seat because it would make it
> easier to access.*
>
> *[No Advance Seat Assignments]{.underline}*

If a carrier does not provide advance seat assignments, you must allow
passengers who identify themselves as passengers with a disability in
need of a seating accommodation to pre-board -- even before other
passengers entitled to pre-board -- and select the seat assignment that
best meets their needs. \[Sec. 382.38(d)\] If a carrier wishes to comply
with this requirement in another way, it must receive written approval
from DOT. \[Sec. 382.38(e)\]

> *[Other Issues Relating to Seat Assignments]{.underline}*
>
> You must provide a seat assignment accommodation when requested by a
> passenger with a disability even if the seat is not otherwise
> available for assignment to the general passenger population at the
> time of the request. \[Sec. 382.38(f)\] You cannot reassign the seat
> of a passenger with a disability who has received a seat assignment to
> accommodate a disability in the event of a subsequent request for the
> same seat unless the passenger with a disability consents to the
> reassignment. \[Sec. 382.38(g)\]
>
> You must not deny transportation to any individual on a flight in
> order to provide a seat accommodation to a passenger with a
> disability. \[Sec. 382.38(h)\] You are also not required to provide
> more than one seat per ticket or a seat in a class of service other
> than the one the passenger has purchased to accommodate a passenger
> with a disability requesting a seating accommodation. \[Sec.
> 382.38(i)\] You must comply with all FAA *safety* requirements in
> responding to requests from individuals with a disability for seating
> accommodations. \[Sec. 382.38(j)\]
>
> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger with an economy class ticket
> and an immobilized leg (with a full-leg cast) arrives more than an
> hour before his flight is scheduled to depart. He arrives at the
> check-in counter, explains his disability, and insists that he is
> entitled to a seat in first class to accommodate his extended leg.
> Your carrier uses the "priority" seating method for advance seat
> assignments. What should you do?*
>
> *Since the passenger has identified himself as a passenger with a
> disability and has requested a seat assignment to accommodate him, you
> must provide a bulkhead seat or other seat with more legroom than
> other seats on the side of the aisle that best accommodates him. While
> first class seats generally have more legroom than economy class
> seats, you are not required to provide a seat in a class of service
> other than the one the passenger has purchased in order to accommodate
> him. You should explain politely and respectfully that under the law,
> you must seat him in (i) a bulkhead or (ii) an aisle seat in economy
> class on the side of the plane that would best accommodate his leg. At
> his subsequent request for a bulkhead seat, you must arrange to move
> another passenger from the bulkhead seat and give it to the passenger
> with the immobilized leg. Although you are not required to do so under
> the law, you may choose to seat him in first class.*

######### Boarding and Deplaning Assistance

If a passenger with a disability requests assistance getting on or off
an airplane or you offer assistance and the passenger consents to the
type of boarding or deplaning assistance you offer, you must provide
such assistance. \[Sec. 382.39(a)\] The type of assistance you must
offer includes, as needed, services personnel and the use of
wheelchairs, ramps, or mechanical lifts. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(1)\]

> Keep in mind, however, that a wheelchair is not required or desired in
> all cases. A wheelchair may not be an appropriate assistive device in
> a particular situation. For example, a passenger with vision
> impairment may need a sighted guide, not a wheelchair.

Carriers must train employees to proficiency in the use of the boarding
assistance equipment and procedures regarding the safety and dignity of
passengers receiving boarding assistance. \[Secs. 382.40(d) and
382.40a(d)\] Therefore, regardless of the size of the aircraft, you
should know how to use mechanical boarding assistance devices and the
appropriate procedures for providing boarding assistance.

In addition, you should be aware that when level-entry boarding is not
required or if a lift is temporarily not functioning, you must obtain
the consent of the passenger with a disability to the means of boarding
assistance. \[Sec. 382.40(c)(5)\] Therefore, in such situations, you
should present the various options and provide only the type of boarding
assistance to which the passenger consents. If the passenger does not
consent to the available means of boarding assistance, you should
contact a CRO.

You cannot leave a passenger in a boarding wheelchair or other device in
which the passenger is not independently mobile for more than 30
minutes. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(3)\]

Carriers must provide access to the airplane for a passenger with a
disability by a level-entry loading bridge or accessible passenger
lounges where these means are available. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(2)\] But
depending on the size of the aircraft, carriers have different
obligations to provide boarding assistance to individuals with a
disability using mechanical lifts, ramps, or other suitable devices that
do not require you to physically lift or carry passengers up stairs.
\[Secs. 382.40 and 382.40a\]

*[Boarding and Deplaning Assistance Where Level-Entry Boarding is
Unavailable]{.underline}*

For aircraft with 19 or more seats operating at airports with 10,000 or
more annual enplanements where level-entry boarding is not available
\[Secs. 382.40(a) and 382.40a(a)\], carriers must provide boarding
assistance to passengers with a disability using mechanical lifts,
ramps, or other suitable devices that do not require you to physically
lift or carry passengers up stairs. \[Secs. 382.40(b) and 382.40a(b)\]
In addition, carriers may require that a passenger seeking boarding
assistance by use of a lift check in for the flight one hour before the
scheduled departure time. \[Secs. 382.40(c)(3) and 382.40a(c)(3)\] You
must make a reasonable effort to accommodate the passenger and provide
the boarding assistance by lift even if the passenger does not check in
one hour before the scheduled departure time, as long as it would not
delay the flight.

Boarding assistance by mechanical lift is not required in the following
situations:

-   on aircraft with fewer than 19 seats;

-   on float planes;

-   on the following 19-seat capacity aircraft models that are
    unsuitable for boarding assistance by lift: the Fairchild Metro, the
    Jetstream 31, and the Beech 1900 (C and D Models);

-   on any other 19-seat aircraft model determined by DOT to be
    unsuitable for boarding assistance by lift; \[Sec. 382.40(c)(4)\];
    or

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-   on any widebody aircraft determined by DOT to be unsuitable for
    boarding assistance by lift, ramp, or other device.

If boarding assistance by lift is not required (as set forth above) or
it cannot be provided for reasons beyond the control of the carrier,
*e.g.*, the mechanical lift is not functioning, then boarding assistance
must be provided by any available means, except physically hand-carrying
the passenger. Hand-carrying is defined as directly picking up the
passenger's body in the arms of one or more carrier personnel to effect
a change of level that the passenger needs to enter or leave the
aircraft. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(2)\]

*[Except in an Emergency Evacuation, No Hand-Carrying
Passengers]{.underline}*

Under no circumstances -- except for emergency evacuations -- should you
physically pick up a passenger with a disability to provide boarding or
deplaning assistance. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(2)\]

***[Example]{.underline}**: A woman asks for assistance in boarding a
flight with 30 seats. General boarding for passengers is by a set of
stairs on the tarmac. When she arrives at the gate and asks for boarding
assistance, she is provided a boarding wheelchair, but you inform her
that the mechanical lift is out of order. The passenger tells you to
physically pick her up and carry her up the stairs and onto the plane
because she really needs to make the flight. What should you do?*

*Under the law, you must not physically hand-carry the passenger onto
the plane. Hand-carrying is only appropriate in the case of an emergency
evacuation. Even though the law states that the passenger must consent
to the type of boarding assistance and she has requested to be hand
carried, you must not hand-carry her onto the aircraft. Instead, you
should contact a CRO for advice about options for alternative means of
boarding the passenger, e.g., carrying the boarding wheelchair, with the
passenger in it, up the stairs and onto the plane. Next, you and the CRO
should explain to the passenger that, under the law, you are not
permitted to physically hand-carry her onto the plane. In addition, you
should explore other available options for assisting this passenger with
boarding the aircraft, including carrying the passenger onto the plane
in a boarding wheelchair or arranging for another flight with a working
lift or a jet bridge. If the passenger consents to being carried onto
the plane in the boarding wheelchair, you may do so. Regardless, you
should notify the appropriate personnel that the mechanical lift is not
functioning properly and arrange for repair as quickly as possible.*

######### Stowing and Treatment of Personal Equipment

> You should be familiar with the legal requirements for storage and
> treatment of personal equipment used by passengers with a disability,
> including ventilator/respirators, non-spillable batteries, canes,
> wheelchairs, and other assistive devices. \[Sec. 382.41\]
>
> *[Storing Assistive Devices in the Aircraft Cabin]{.underline}*

You must allow passengers with a disability to bring their personal
ventilators/respirators, including non-spillable batteries, on board the
aircraft as long as FAA safety regulations are met. \[Sec. 382.41(b)\]
You must permit passengers to stow their canes and other assistive
devices in the cabin and close to their seats, consistent with FAA
safety regulations concerning carry-on items. \[Sec. 382.41(c)\]

> ***[Example]{.underline}**: Because a passenger with a disability
> arrived at the airport late, time and space constraints on board the
> aircraft require you to store her assistive walking device in first
> class, even though her seat assignment is in the back of the plane in
> economy class. She insists that she has the right to have her
> assistive walking device stored near her. She explains further that
> she would need this device to access and use the lavatory. What should
> you do?*

*You must permit a passenger with a disability to bring her assistive
devices into the cabin as long as FAA safety regulations are met. \[Sec.
382.41(b)\] In addition, the rule generally requires you to allow a
passenger to stow her assistive device close to her seat, consistent
with FAA safety regulations concerning carry-on items. \[Sec.
382.41(c)\] Under the circumstances, you should reassess the storage
space and consider either moving the passenger closer to her walker or
the walker closer to the passenger.*

> You must not count assistive devices brought on board the aircraft by
> a passenger with a disability toward the limit on the passenger's
> carry-on items. \[Sec. 382.41(d)\] Wheelchairs and other assistive
> devices that cannot be stowed in the cabin must be stowed in the
> baggage compartment with priority over other cargo and baggage. \[Sec.
> 382.41(f)(3)\] In addition, because carriers cannot charge for
> facilities, equipment, or services required under the law to be
> provided to qualified individuals with a disability, no charge would
> be imposed if a wheelchair or assistive device exceeded the weight
> limit on checked baggage. \[Sec. 382.57\]
>
> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger with multiple sclerosis is one
> of many passengers on a flight who is informed that the flight will
> not be taking off because of mechanical problems. It is late at night
> and the carrier has announced that the passengers will be put up in a
> hotel for the night and rescheduled on a flight leaving the following
> morning. The passenger with multiple sclerosis approaches you when she
> hears the announcement and explains that she needs access to her
> checked luggage because it contains her syringe and medication for her
> multiple sclerosis which she must take on a daily basis. What should
> you do?*
>
> *The passenger's syringe and medication would be considered an
> assistive device under the law. Under section 382.41(f)(1), because
> the passenger requested the return of her assistive device, you must
> return it to her. As a matter of customer service, you may also advise
> such passengers (e.g., via the carrier's web site or other consumer
> information materials) that the carrier recommends to all of its
> passengers who require such medication or other items for medical
> necessity to bring a carry-on bag containing the medication or other
> item on board. Such medication carry-on bags would not be counted
> toward the passenger's carry-on baggage allotment.*

*[Wheelchairs]{.underline}*

Carriers must permit storage in the cabin of wheelchairs or components
of wheelchairs, including folding, collapsible, or breakdown
battery-powered wheelchairs \[Sec. 382.41(e)\] as follows:

-   In overhead compartments and under seats consistent with FAA safety
    regulations for carry-on items. \[Sec. 382.41(e)(1)\]

-   If the aircraft contains a closet or storage area of a size
    sufficient to accommodate a passenger's folding, collapsible, or
    breakdown wheelchair, the carrier must designate priority stowage
    space for at least one passenger's wheelchair in that area. If a
    passenger with a disability decides to pre-board, the passenger may
    stow the wheelchair in the designated storage space with priority
    over the carry-on items brought on board by other passengers or crew
    members boarding the plane at the same airport. If, on the other
    hand, a passenger with a disability chooses not to pre-board, the
    passenger may stow the wheelchair in the designated storage space on
    a first-come, first-served basis along with all other passengers
    seeking to stow carry-on items in the space. \[Sec. 382.41(e)(2)\]

-   If the aircraft cabin does not contain a storage area of a size
    sufficient to accommodate a folding, collapsible, or breakdown
    wheelchair, you must stow the wheelchair in the cargo compartment
    with priority over other luggage. \[Sec. 382.41(e)(3)\]

> *[Wheelchairs Unable to be Stowed in the Aircraft Cabin as
> Carry-on]{.underline}*
>
> When a folding, collapsible, or break-down wheelchair cannot be stowed
> in the cabin as carry-on baggage, you must ensure the timely checking
> and return of the passenger's wheelchair or other assistive device as
> close as possible to the door of the aircraft, so that the passenger
> with a disability can use his or her own equipment, where possible,
> consistent with DOT regulations concerning transportation of hazardous
> materials. \[Sec. 382.41(f)\]
>
> If, on the other hand, a passenger with a disability requests, you
> should return the wheelchair or other assistive device at the baggage
> claim area instead of at the door of the aircraft. \[Sec.
> 382.41(f)(1)\]
>
> A passenger's wheelchair or other assistive device must be stowed in
> the baggage compartment with priority over other items and baggage.
> \[Sec. 382.41(f)(3)\] In order to ensure the timely return of a
> passenger's wheelchair or other assistive device, it must be among the
> first items retrieved from the baggage compartment. \[Sec.
> 382.41(f)(2)\] If giving priority to wheelchairs and other assistive
> devices results in passengers' non-assistive device-related baggage
> being unable to be carried on the flight, you must use your best
> efforts to ensure that the non-assistive device-related baggage
> reaches the passengers' destination within four hours of the scheduled
> arrival time of the flight.
>
> *[Battery-powered Wheelchairs]{.underline}*

You must accept a passenger's battery-powered wheelchair, including the
battery, as checked baggage unless baggage compartment size and aircraft
airworthiness considerations prohibit it. \[Sec. 382.41(g)\]

Carriers may require that a passenger with a disability wishing to have
a battery-powered wheelchair transported on a flight (including in the
cabin where required) check in for the flight one hour before the
scheduled departure time. \[Sec. 382.41(g)(1)\] You must also make a
reasonable effort to accommodate the passenger and transport the
wheelchair even if the passenger does not check in one hour before the
scheduled departure time, as long as it would not delay the flight.

If (i) the battery on the passenger's wheelchair has been labeled by the
manufacturer as *non-spillable* or (ii) the battery-powered wheelchair
with a *spillable* battery can be loaded, stored, secured, and unloaded
in an upright position, you must *not require* the battery to be removed
and separately packaged. You may remove and package separately any
battery that appears to be damaged or leaking. \[Sec. 382.41(g)(2)\]

When it is necessary to detach a battery from a wheelchair, you must
provide packaging for the battery and package the battery consistent
with appropriate hazardous materials regulations. \[Sec. 382.41(g)(3)\]
You must not charge for such packaging. \[Sec. 382.57\]

You must not drain batteries. \[Sec. 382.41(g)(4)\]

If a passenger with a disability requests, you must stow a folding,
breakdown, or collapsible battery-powered wheelchair in the cabin
consistent with the requirements set forth above. If the wheelchair can
be stowed in the cabin without removing the battery, then you must not
remove the battery. If the wheelchair cannot be stowed in the cabin
without removing the battery, then you must remove the battery and stow
it in the baggage compartment in the proper packaging as set forth
above. In this case, you must permit the wheelchair, with the battery
removed, to be stowed in the cabin. \[Sec. 382.41(g)(5)\]

You must permit passengers with a disability to provide written
instructions concerning the disassembly and reassembly of their
wheelchairs. \[Sec. 382.41(h)\]

When you disassemble wheelchairs or other assistive devices for stowage,
you must reassemble them and ensure their prompt return to the passenger
with a disability. You must return a wheelchair or other assistive
device to the passenger in the same condition in which you received it.
\[Sec. 382.43(a)\]

> On domestic flights, the normal baggage liability limits do not apply
> to loss, damage, or delay concerning wheelchairs or other assistive
> devices. Instead, the criterion for calculating the compensation for
> lost, damaged, or destroyed wheelchairs or other assistive devices
> must be the original price of the device. \[Sec. 382.43(b)\] Moreover,
> you must not require a passenger with a disability to sign a waiver of
> liability for damage to or loss of a wheelchair or other assistive
> device, although you may make notes about preexisting damage or
> conditions of wheelchairs or other assistive devices. \[Sec.
> 382.43(c)\]
>
> ***[Example]{.underline}**: A passenger with a battery-powered
> wheelchair with a spillable battery arrived at his departure gate for
> his domestic flight and airline personnel there determined that the
> wheelchair could not be loaded, stored, secured, and unloaded in an
> upright position. Therefore, they directed the appropriate personnel
> to remove and store the battery and gate check the wheelchair. When
> the passenger arrives at his destination and the battery is replaced,
> it is done so incorrectly and the entire electronic circuit board of
> the wheelchair is severely damaged, rendering the wheelchair
> temporarily unusable. What should you do?*

*Upon request, you must permit passengers with a disability to provide
written instructions concerning the disassembly and reassembly of their
wheelchairs. As a matter of good customer service, you should apologize
to the passenger for the problem and the resulting inconvenience. In
addition, you should explain to the passenger that the carrier will
compensate him for the damaged wheelchair in an amount up to the
original purchase price of the device. If, for example, the passenger
provides you with documentation that the original cost of the wheelchair
was \$10,000 and verification that it cost \$2,900 to be repaired, the
carrier would pay the passenger or the repair company \$2,900 to cover
the cost of the wheelchair repair. In addition, paying for reasonable
costs associated with the rental of a wheelchair by the passenger during
the repair period could also be recovered by the passenger from the
carrier.*

######### Services in the Cabin 

Within the aircraft cabin, when requested by a passenger with a
disability or when offered and accepted by a passenger with a
disability, you must assist the passenger in:

-   moving to and from a seat as part of enplaning and deplaning \[Sec.
    382.39(b)(1)\];

-   preparing for eating, such as opening packets and identifying food
    \[Sec. 382.39(b)(2)\];

-   if there is an on-board wheelchair, using the on-board wheelchair to
    enable the passenger to move to and from the lavatory which, if
    requested, could entail transferring the passenger from a seat to an
    aisle chair \[Sec. 382.39(b)(3)\];

-   moving to and from the lavatory, if the passenger is
    semi-ambulatory, not involving lifting or carrying the individual
    \[Sec. 382.39(b)(4)\]; and

-   loading and retrieving carry-on items, including mobility aids and
    other assistive devices stowed in the cabin \[Sec. 382.39(b)(5)\];

> ***[Example 1]{.underline}**: A passenger using a boarding wheelchair
> asks for help storing her carry-on item in the overhead compartment
> because, it is apparent, her disability limits her ability to reach up
> to the overhead compartment. What should you do?*
>
> *You must either assist the passenger directly or indicate that you
> will find the appropriate employee to assist her in stowing her
> carry-on bag in the overhead compartment.*
>
> ***[Example 2]{.underline}**: A passenger who walks onto the plane for
> an evening flight with a rolling carry-on bag asks for help lifting
> his bag and putting it in the overhead storage compartment. What
> should you do?*
>
> *Since he has not identified himself as a qualified individual with a
> disability, you may want to ask for further clarification. Because,
> under the law, normally you cannot ask a passenger if he has a
> disability, you might ask, "Is there any particular reason you need
> assistance sir?" or "Could you tell me a little about your need for
> help?" or "Are you unable to lift it yourself?" If, for example, the
> passenger explains that he has multiple sclerosis and his muscles are
> particularly fatigued at the end of the day and therefore he needs
> help lifting things, you must either assist the passenger directly or
> indicate that you will find the appropriate employee to assist him in
> stowing his carry-on bag. If, on the other hand, the passenger states
> that he is merely tired and doesn't feel like lifting the bag, the
> passenger is not a qualified individual with a disability and,
> therefore, you are not obligated to assist him. You may politely
> decline to assist him, depending on the carrier's policies regarding
> assistance with stowing carry-on items for passengers.*
>
> You are *not* required to provide extensive special assistance to
> passengers with a disability such as:

-   help with eating, for example, cutting food and feeding the
    passenger \[Sec. 382.39(c)(1)\];

-   assistance within the restroom or at the passenger's seat with
    elimination functions \[Sec. 382.39(c)(2)\]; or

-   provision of medical services. \[Sec. 382.39(c)(3)\]

> You cannot require that a passenger with a disability sit on a
> blanket. \[Sec. 382.55(b)\]

######### Safety Briefings 

> *[Individual Safety Briefings]{.underline}*
>
> Under certain circumstances, you must provide individual safety
> briefings to a passenger with a disability. Federal safety regulations
> require you to conduct an individual briefing for each passenger who
> may need assistance to move expeditiously to an emergency exit. You
> must brief the passenger and the attendant, if any, on the routes to
> the appropriate exit and on the most appropriate time to move toward
> the exit in the event of an emergency. In addition, you must ask the
> passenger and the attendant, if any, the most appropriate manner of
> assisting the passenger. \[14 CFR 121.571(a)(3)\] You may offer such
> briefings to other passengers. \[Sec. 382.45(b)(2)\]

In the case of private safety briefings for passengers with a
disability:

-   You must conduct the briefing as inconspicuously and discreetly as
    possible. \[Sec. 382.45(b)(3)\]

-   You must not require a passenger with a disability to demonstrate
    that the person has listened to, read, or understood the information
    presented, except to the extent that you or other employees impose
    such a requirement on all passengers with respect to the general
    safety briefing.

-   You must not take any action adverse to a passenger with a
    disability on the basis the individual has not "accepted" the
    briefing. \[Sec. 382.45(b)(4)\]

> *[Accommodations for Passengers Who are Deaf or Hard of
> Hearing]{.underline}*
>
> If the safety briefings are presented to passengers on video screens,
> carriers must ensure that the video presentation is accessible to
> passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. \[Sec. 382.47(b)\] More
> specifically, carriers must implement this requirement by using open
> captioning or an inset for a sign language interpreter as part of the
> video presentation. \[Sec. 382.47(b)(1)\] A carrier may use an
> equivalent non-video alternative to this requirement only if neither
> open captioning nor a sign language interpreter inset could be placed
> in the video presentation without so interfering with it as to render
> it ineffective or if it would not be large enough to be readable.
> \[Sec. 382.47(b)(2)\] Carriers must implement these requirements by
> substituting captioned video materials for uncaptioned video materials
> as the uncaptioned materials are replaced in the normal course of the
> carrier's operations. \[Sec. 382.47(b)(3)\]
>
> *[Timely and Complete Access to Information]{.underline}*
>
> Carriers must ensure that, upon request, passengers with a disability,
> including those who are (i) blind or visually impaired; or (ii) deaf,
> hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, have timely access to information
> being provided to other passengers, including but not limited to,
> information concerning ticketing, flight delays, schedule changes,
> connections, flight check-in, gate assignments, the checking and
> claiming of luggage, and aircraft changes that will affect the travel
> of passengers with a disability. \[Sec. 382.45(c)\] Passengers who are
> unable to obtain the information from the audio or visual systems in
> airports or on board must request the information from you. In other
> words, as a practical matter, passengers may have to identify
> themselves as (i) blind or visually impaired; or (ii) deaf, hard of
> hearing, or deaf-blind in order to obtain the information. *See*
> Chapter 7 in general and "Tips for Assisting People Who Are Blind or
> Visually-Impaired" and "Tips for Assisting People Who Are Deaf, Hard
> of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind" in particular.

**Chapter 6: Assisting Air Travelers with Disabilities**

# with Their Complaints

# Complaint Procedures and Complaints Resolution Officials (CRO's)

# Process to Resolve Complaints 

# General Complaint Resolution Tips

# Recording, Categorizing, and Reporting Written Disability-related Complaints Received by Carriers

A.  **Complaint Procedures and Complaints Resolution Officials (CRO's)**

Carriers must (i) establish a procedure for resolving disability-related
complaints raised by passengers with a disability and (ii) designate at
least one CRO to be available to handle disability-related complaints at
each airport the carrier serves. \[Sec. 382.65(a)\] Each CRO must be
trained and thoroughly proficient with respect to the rights of
passengers with disabilities under the ACAA and accompanying
regulations. \[Secs. 382.61(a)(7) and 382.65(a)(3)\] The carrier must
make a CRO available to any person who makes a disability-related
complaint during all times the carrier is operating at an airport and
should make that person aware of the existence of the Department of
Transportation's aviation consumer disability hotline for resolving
issues related to disability accommodations. The toll-free number for
the hotline is 1-800-778-4838 (voice) and 1-800-455-9880 (TTY).

*[Availability of the CRO]{.underline}*

Carriers must make a CRO available at all times the carrier is operating
at each airport it serves. \[Secs. 382.65(a)(1) and (2)\] The CRO may be
made available in person or by telephone. If the CRO is made available
by telephone, it must be at no cost to the passenger. The CRO must be
accessible via a TTY for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. If
a passenger with a disability, or someone on behalf of a passenger with
a disability, complains about an alleged violation or potential
violation of the law, you must put the customer in touch with a CRO on
duty. \[Sec. 382.65(a)(1)\] A CRO has the authority to resolve
complaints by passengers with a disability on behalf of the carrier.
\[Sec. 382.65(a)(4)\]

*[Complaints Made During the Trip]{.underline}*

When a passenger with a disability makes a complaint to a CRO during the
course of the trip (*e.g.*, over the telephone or in person at an
airport), the CRO must promptly take action to resolve the problem as
follows:

-   If no violation of the law has occurred yet, the CRO must take
    action or direct other employees to take action to ensure
    compliance. Only the pilot-in-command of an aircraft has final
    authority to make decisions regarding safety and the CRO cannot
    countermand a pilot's decisions regarding safety. \[Sec.
    382.65(a)(5)(i)\]

-   If a passenger complains about a disability-related issue or alleges
    a violation of the law that has already occurred and the CRO agrees
    that a violation has occurred, the CRO must provide the complaining
    passenger with a written statement summarizing the facts at issue
    and the steps, if any, the carrier proposes to take in response to
    the violation. \[Sec. 382.65(a)(5)(ii)\] This statement must be
    provided in person to the passenger at the airport, if possible;
    otherwise, it must be forwarded to the passenger within 10 calendar
    days of the complaint. \[Sec. 382.65(a)(5)(iv)\]

-   If a passenger alleges a violation of the law but the CRO determines
    that no violation has occurred, the CRO must provide a written
    statement including a summary of the facts and the reasons for the
    determination. \[Sec. 382.65(a)(5)(iii)\] This statement must be
    provided in person to the passenger at the airport, if possible;
    otherwise, it must be forwarded to the passenger within 10 calendar
    days of the complaint. \[Sec. 382.65(a)(5)(iv)\]

The written statement provided to the complaining passenger must include
information about the right to pursue DOT enforcement action under the
law. \[Sec. 382.65(a)(5)(iv)\]

> *[Written Complaints Received after the Trip]{.underline}*
>
> You should be aware of your carrier's established procedure for
> resolving written complaints from passengers with a disability. \[Sec.
> 382.65(b)\] In addition, under the law, a carrier is not required to
> respond to a written complaint postmarked more than 45 days after the
> date of the alleged violation. \[Sec. 382.65(b)(1)\] Your carrier must
> provide a dispositive written response within 30 days of receipt of a
> written complaint describing a situation that would constitute a
> violation of the law. \[Sec. 382.65(b)(3)\]
>
> You should provide all information regarding written complaints \--
> and in general \-- in a polite and respectful manner as a matter of
> high standards of customer service.
>
> Depending on the carrier's determination, its response to a written
> complaint must include the following:

-   if the carrier agrees that a violation has occurred, the carrier
    must provide a written statement to the complaining passenger
    summarizing the facts and stating what steps, if any, the carrier
    proposes to take in response to the violation. \[Sec.
    382.65(b)(3)(i)\]

-   if the carrier denies that a violation has occurred, the written
    response must include a summary of the facts and the carrier's
    reasons under the law for making its determination. \[Sec.
    382.65(b)(3)(iii)\]

> The written statement provided to the complaining passenger must
> include information about the right to pursue DOT enforcement action
> under the law. \[Sec. 382.65(b)(3)(iii)\]
>
> *[Responsibilities of Employees other than the CRO]{.underline}*
>
> You should be aware that all personnel dealing with the traveling
> public should be trained to proficiency regarding the legal
> requirements and the carrier's policies concerning the provision of
> air travel to individuals with disabilities. \[Sec. 382.61(a)(1)\]
> These employees must receive training regarding awareness about and
> appropriate responses to individuals with physical, sensory, mental,
> and emotional disabilities. \[Sec. 382.61(a)(2)\]
>
> You should be familiar with your carrier's established procedures and
> the CRO's duties and responsibilities with respect to resolving a
> complaint raised by a passenger with a disability. You should convey
> this information to passengers with a disability under the appropriate
> circumstances.

When resolving complaints from a passenger with a disability, you should
keep the following in mind:

-   Request assistance from a CRO immediately or assist the passenger
    with a disability in doing so, if the passenger requests to speak
    with a "supervisor" or "manager."

-   Contact a CRO if you are having *any* difficulty providing an
    accommodation required by law or carrier policy to a passenger with
    a disability.

-   Carry the information about how to contact a CRO with you at all
    times. Remember a CRO may be available in person or by telephone but
    a CRO must be available during all hours of the carrier's operation
    at the airport.

######### Process to Resolve Complaints

When you receive a complaint from a passenger with a disability, there
are certain requirements under the law with which you, your carrier, and
a CRO must comply. Even if you call a CRO, it is important to be able to
assess the situation firsthand through observation, communication, and
information gathering because a CRO is not always available on site and
may only be involved in resolving the complaint via telephone.

Having a consistent process for fielding these complaints will assist
you in complying with those legal obligations and providing good
customer service. Learning what the particular problem is, finding the
applicable rule, regulation, or policy that addresses the situation, and
remedying the situation by taking affirmative action are important
aspects of the process.

The ACCESS checklist set forth below provides an easy way to remember
how to respond to these complaints. Remember ACCESS as a thorough and
useful process through which you can address the complaint or refer it
to a CRO as needed.

> *[ACCESS]{.underline}*
>
> **A**sk the passenger with a disability how you may assist with
> concerns. Listen actively and carefully to what the passenger tells
> you and ask for further clarification when necessary.
>
> **C**all a CRO and report the complaint if you are unable to resolve
> the problem. If a passenger with a disability would like to contact a
> CRO directly, you must assist the passenger in doing so. If your
> carrier has an internal procedure for documenting complaints that
> requires CRO involvement or for documenting other types of passenger
> complaints, fill out the appropriate forms, if any, and provide
> relevant and detailed information to satisfy that internal carrier
> policy.
>
> **C**heck this manual (and Appendix V containing the full text of Part
> 382) and your carrier's policies (concerning the law as well as good
> customer service) to identify the issue at hand. If you need
> assistance, ask a CRO on duty.
>
> **E**valuate the relevant provisions of this manual (and Appendix V
> containing the full text of part 382) and your carrier's policies to
> determine the appropriate options for resolving the problem
> considering the following factors:

-   Does the solution comply with the law?

-   Does the solution comply with your carrier's policies?

-   Is there a question of airline and passenger safety? (Remember, the
    pilot-in- command of an aircraft is the final arbiter of a safety
    issue.)

-   Does the solution meet the needs of the passenger with a disability?

-   Can the solution be implemented in a timely manner, *e.g.*, to help
    the passenger with a disability make the flight or receive the
    accommodation?

> **S**olve the problem by providing the passenger with a disability
> with the information, services, or appropriate action required under
> the law.
>
> **S**atisfy the passenger with a disability to the extent possible
> when complying with the law. Communicating the basis for the action
> taken (or not taken) to the passenger with a disability is critical.
> Thank the passenger for bringing the problem to your attention and ask
> if the passenger has any additional questions about the solution you
> or a CRO has provided. Ask if you are able to assist with any other
> concerns.

######### General Complaint Resolution Tips 

-   You should familiarize yourself with this manual (and Appendix V
    containing the full text of part 382) and your carrier's policies
    (concerning the law as well as good customer service). First and
    foremost, you must not violate the civil rights of passengers with a
    disability. In addition, you should treat passengers in a manner
    consistent with good customer service policy.

-   You should work as quickly as possible to ensure prompt service and,
    at the same time, respect for the needs of passengers with a
    disability.

-   You should be aware of your carrier's procedures for addressing
    complaints. You should take the time necessary to resolve the
    complaint while maintaining flight schedules. If an unfamiliar
    situation presents itself or you have any doubts or questions, you
    should contact your immediate supervisor or a CRO for prompt
    resolution of the issue.

-   You should make reasonable attempts to keep the passenger with a
    disability informed about your or other carrier personnel's progress
    with respect to resolving a complaint.

-   You should avoid engaging in an argument with a passenger with a
    disability presenting a complaint.

-   You should listen carefully and actively, evaluate appropriate
    options under the law and your carrier's policy, and communicate the
    basis for the action taken (or not taken) to the passenger with a
    disability in a respectful and polite manner to ensure effective
    complaint resolution.

-   Even if you call a CRO, it is important to be able to assess the
    situation firsthand through observation, communication, and
    information gathering because a CRO is not always available on site
    and may only be involved in resolving the complaint via telephone.

######### Recording, Categorizing, and Reporting Written Disability-related Complaints Received by Carriers

> Certificated U.S. carriers and foreign carriers[^3] operating to,
> from, and in the United States using at least one aircraft with more
> than 60 passenger seats must record, categorize, and report written
> disability-related complaints received by the carrier to DOT on an
> annual basis. \[Secs. 382.70(b) and (c)\] The first annual report
> covers calendar year 2004 and was due to be submitted to DOT by
> January 25, 2005. \[Sec. 382.70(d)\] In addition, carriers must use
> the form specified in Appendix A to part 382 when making the annual
> report to DOT. S*ee* Appendix V. Carriers must develop a system for
> recording and collecting data regarding specific categories of written
> disability-related complaints that they receive according to the type
> of disability and the nature of the complaint. \[Sec. 382.70(c)\]
>
> **Chapter 7: Interacting with People with Disabilities**

When assisting and interacting with individuals with disabilities, you
should use language that gives an accurate, positive view of them. You
should focus on the person first, not the disability, and avoid language
that reinforces myths, stereotypes, and discrimination.

Below is a chart listing some currently acceptable terminology and
terminology to avoid when addressing or referring to people with
disabilities.

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| # Use                             | # Avoid                           |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Person with a disability          | Handicapped or deformed           |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Person who is deaf                | The deaf                          |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Person who is blind or            | The blind; the visually-impaired  |
| visually-impaired                 |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Woman with an emotional disorder, | Crazy, demented, lunatic, psycho, |
| psychiatric illness, or           | or maniac                         |
| psychiatric disability            |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Person using a wheelchair,        | Confined to a wheelchair,         |
| wheelchair user                   | wheelchair bound, or crippled     |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Person with AIDS or living with   | Afflicted with AIDS, victim of    |
| AIDS                              | AIDS, or suffers from AIDS        |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Congenital disability             | Birth defect                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Man who has cerebral palsy        | Afflicted with cerebral palsy or  |
|                                   | suffers from cerebral palsy       |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Woman who has Down syndrome       | Mongol, mongoloid, or retarded    |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Person with head injury, people   | Brain damaged                     |
| who have sustained brain damage,  |                                   |
| or woman who has traumatic brain  |                                   |
| injury                            |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Person who has a speech disorder  | Mute or dumb                      |
| or woman without speech           |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Man with quadriplegia or woman    | Crippled                          |
| who is paralyzed                  |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Person of small or short stature  | Dwarf                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Nondisabled                       | Normal, able-bodied, healthy, or  |
|                                   | whole                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

It may not be apparent whether a person is an individual with a
disability. You should provide an opportunity for a passenger to
self-identify as an individual with a disability by asking if the person
needs assistance and, if so, how best you can assist with those needs.
Keep in mind that you cannot require an individual with a disability to
accept special services, including pre-boarding.

***[Some Examples of Physical Impairments \[Sec.
382.5(a)(1)\]:]{.underline}***

-   Orthopedic impairment;

-   Deafness (profound hearing loss);

-   Hard of hearing (mild to profound hearing loss);

-   Vision impairment and blindness;

-   Speech disorder;

-   Cerebral palsy;

-   Epilepsy;

-   Muscular dystrophy;

-   Multiple sclerosis;

-   Cancer;

-   Heart disease; and

-   Diabetes.

***[Some Examples of Mental or Psychological Impairments \[Sec.
382.5(a)(2)\]:]{.underline}***

-   Mental retardation;

-   Depression;

-   Anxiety disorders;

-   Specific learning disabilities; and

-   Brain injury.

Below is a list of general tips to consider when interacting with people
with disabilities followed by tips relating to interacting with
individuals with one or more of the five basic types of disabilities.
These tips are aimed at ensuring that services, facilities, and other
accommodations are provided to passengers with disabilities in a
respectful and helpful manner.

Some of the tips relate to specific legal requirements, but most of them
set forth suggestions for interacting in a way that would constitute
good customer service and demonstrate a sensitivity to the issues
concerning passengers with disabilities. The following tips should be
read and employed with the above qualification in mind.

***[General Tips for Interacting with Individuals with
Disabilities]{.underline}***

-   **Always ask.** The most effective and simplest step for you to take
    when you are uncertain about a passenger's needs is to ask, "May I
    assist you?" or "Please let me know how I can assist you." A
    passenger with a disability has the most information about his or
    her abilities, level of familiarity with the airport and airline,
    and needs when traveling.

-   **Appreciate the passenger's perspective.** Take into consideration
    the extra time and energy that traveling may require for a person
    with a disability. For example, you should realize that a person
    with a disability may not have the flexibility and spontaneity to
    react to unexpected situations. Understand that making adjustments
    may take more time or may require additional attention or services
    for passengers with a disability.

-   **Be yourself and be self-aware.** It is important to relax, be
    yourself, and maintain the conversational style you would use for
    anyone else when you are speaking with a person with a disability.
    Be aware of the possibility that your body language could convey
    discomfort or impatience; try to avoid this. Also, respect the
    privacy of individuals with disabilities. Asking about a person's
    disability can be perceived as intrusive and insensitive. It might
    be interpreted as placing the disability above the human being.

-   **Don't make assumptions.** Don't assume that all individuals with a
    disability automatically need assistance. Keep in mind that if the
    setting is accessible, individuals with a disability would usually
    prefer to operate independently.

-   **Emotions matter.** Acknowledge the emotions of the person in a
    stressful situation, *e.g.*, frustration or disappointment. When
    acknowledging the emotions of others, it may be more effective to
    use "you" rather than "I." For example, use, "*You* must be
    frustrated by having to wait for your checked wheelchair." Not, "*I*
    completely understand how you feel, I had to wait forever at a
    supermarket check-out yesterday."

-   **Focus on the person, not the disability.** The emphasis is on the
    person first, not the disability.

-   **Keep the passenger informed.** When providing an accommodation to
    a passenger with a disability, keep the passenger updated about the
    progress or timing in connection with such accommodation.

-   **Knowledge is useful.** Be aware of the services, information, and
    resources available to a person with a disability who asks about a
    particular accommodation. If you don't know the answer to the
    question, treat the individual with respect and courtesy and say,
    "Let me find out for you." Don't make guesses about what
    accommodations or services to provide a person with a disability.
    When explaining requirements under the law to a passenger with a
    disability, avoid rendering legal advice or counseling the person in
    any way.

-   **The passenger is the expert.** Offer assistance only if the
    passenger appears to need help. If the passenger asks for help, ask
    how you can assist and listen to the passenger's response and
    instructions before you act. If you have any doubts as to how to
    assist a passenger with a disability, you should ask the passenger
    for guidance before acting. Avoid being overly enthusiastic about
    helping and always think before you speak and act when offering
    assistance.

-   **Respect personal space.** Be sensitive about physical contact.
    Avoid patting an individual with a disability or touching the
    individual's wheelchair or cane. People with disabilities consider
    their assistive devices to be part of their personal space.

-   **Speak directly to the passenger.** Always make eye contact and
    speak directly to a person with a disability, not the person's
    companion, attendant, or interpreter.

-   **Treat each passenger as an individual.** It is important to
    recognize that people with disabilities may vary in their ability to
    perform certain tasks. Individuals with a disability are best able
    to assess and gauge what they can and cannot do in a particular
    situation.

It is always important to keep the above tips in mind when assisting and
communicating with passengers with disabilities. As a practical matter
though, you will need to be aware of different considerations depending
on the type of disability the passenger self-identifies as having.

Below are five basic types of disabilities with a list of considerations
to keep in mind when you are communicating with and accommodating
passengers with each type of disability. Even though these five types of
disabilities are set forth here, each passenger with a disability should
be considered as an individual with individual needs. It is important
for you to communicate with each passenger about that particular
passenger's needs under the circumstances and to avoid making
assumptions about the passenger's needs. The five basic types of
disabilities addressed below are: People who are blind or
visually-impaired; people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind;
people with mobility disabilities; people who have difficulty speaking,
and people with disabilities that are not apparent (*e.g.*, a cognitive
or emotional disability, diabetes, etc.).

***[Tips for Assisting People Who Are Blind or
Visually-Impaired]{.underline}***

######### Communication

######### Only offer assistance if it seems appropriate. Ask the person if you can be of assistance and, if so, how you can help. 

######### Identify yourself by name and job responsibility first.

-   Always communicate using words rather than relying on gestures,
    facial expressions, or other nonverbal communication. For example,
    tell the passenger the gate number and the directions to get to the
    gate. If you are handing a boarding pass to a blind passenger,
    explain that you have the person's boarding pass and that you would
    like to place it directly in the person's hand. Always communicate
    in words what you are doing, *e.g.*, waiting to receive confirmation
    of a reservation, and identify any items you are giving to the
    passenger, *e.g.*, a credit card, tickets, voucher, etc.

######### Make sure a passenger who is blind is made aware of all relevant information as it becomes available to all passengers. For example, if a boarding time is changed and the new boarding time is posted visually at the gate, you must inform the person orally. Advise the passenger when you are leaving the area and answer any questions the person has before you do. 

######### If individual safety briefings are required, conduct them discreetly with respect for the privacy of the person who is blind or visually-impaired. 

-   If a person uses a term relating to the condition of being blind or
    visually-impaired that you are not familiar with or that you don't
    understand, ask the person to tell you what his or her needs are. If
    you need additional information, you should contact the CRO to
    discuss how best to proceed. In addition, be aware that your carrier
    may provide additional training to educate you about the different
    types of disabilities in order to enhance your ability to
    accommodate passengers with disabilities.

######### Keep in mind that the special service request (SSR) field of the passenger name record (PNR) may contain information concerning a passenger who is blind or visually impaired. 

###### Guiding a Person

-   Never take the arm of a person who is blind without asking first,
    because the person could lose balance. In addition, if you don't ask
    first, the person who is blind could perceive a lack of respect
    because he or she was not given the option of receiving the
    assistance. Once you ask if you can offer your arm, let the person
    who is blind take it. You may direct the person's arm to a railing
    or the back of a chair to assist with seating.

-   Walk approximately a half step ahead of the person if you are
    serving as a guide through the terminal. When encountering stairs,
    escalators, moving walkways, revolving doors, etc., give the person
    who is blind the option to choose whether to use the facility or
    conveyance. For example, you might say, "We can just keep walking or
    use the moving sidewalk. Which would you prefer?" Never assume that
    a person who is blind cannot use these devices because of blindness.
    Instead, offer the individual the freedom and flexibility to choose
    which devices and facilities he or she would like to use. Describe
    the environment in detail as you go and ask the person if he or she
    would like you to point out airport amenities such as restaurants,
    shops, ATM machines, restrooms, airline club lounges, displays, or
    other terminal facilities. Note any obstacles and their location in
    your path. If you need to provide a warning, be as specific as
    possible. Offer to orient the person to the gate or other terminal
    area in case he or she would like to walk around, *e.g.*, you could
    say, "All even numbered gates are on our right when walking from
    security and odd numbered gates are on the left."

-   When you are done guiding the person to his or her destination, ask
    him or her if any other assistance is needed. Only if the person who
    is blind has requested should you inform other passengers or carrier
    personnel of the individual's need for additional assistance.

-   Be aware that many people who are blind prefer to walk rather than
    use wheelchairs, electric carts, etc. You may not require a person
    who is blind to use a wheelchair and, if requested, you must provide
    a walking guide for the person who is blind.

######### 

######### Service Animals and Assistive Devices

######### Never pet or distract a service animal accompanying a person who has a disability. Don't separate passengers who are blind from their service animals. 

-   Don't move a person's cane or assistive device if the person has
    placed it on the ground near a seat. If you ask and receive
    permission, you may help the passenger collect things if need be,
    *e.g.*, carry-on items, jackets.

######### *[Tips for Assisting People Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind]{.underline}* 

######### Communication

######### Remember that people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind have various ways of communicating, *e.g.*, sign language, speech/lip reading, TTY, hearing aid or implant. A person's deafness can go unnoticed unless the person self-identifies as a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. 

-   When speaking, look directly at the person who is deaf or hard of
    hearing. The person may use speech/lip reading as a method of
    communicating. Use normal lip movement. Use a normal tone of voice
    when speaking to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. Don't
    shout because shouting distorts the sound, words, and lip movement.
    Sometimes you may need to rephrase your message because many words
    have the same lip movement, *e.g.*, 15 and 50 have the same lip
    movement. If writing a note, make the message short and simple.

######### Identify yourself by name and job responsibility first. 

-   If individual safety briefings are required, conduct them discreetly
    with respect for the privacy of the person who is deaf, hard of
    hearing, or deaf-blind.

-   Make sure a passenger who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind
    receives all relevant information as it becomes available to all
    passengers. For example, if a boarding time is changed and the new
    boarding time is announced, you must inform the person through an
    accessible method of communicating.

-   If a person uses a term relating to the condition of being deaf,
    hard of hearing, or deaf-blind that you are not familiar with or
    that you don't understand, ask the person to tell you what his or
    her needs are. If you need additional information, you should
    contact the CRO to discuss how best to proceed.

-   A deaf-blind person may communicate through the printing on palm
    method, an alternative to using sign language. This method involves
    "writing" with your fingertip on the palm of the deaf-blind person's
    hand. Use the fleshy part of your fingertip, not your nail. Always
    use all upper case letters and use the same reference point for each
    letter. More specifically, hold the deaf-blind person's hand the
    same way each time, so the top and bottom letter falls in the same
    place. Make sure the words you print are "right side up" for the
    person receiving the message. Write as large as possible and start
    in the upper left for a "W" and finish in the upper right. Use the
    entire palm area for each letter. Use one stroke for both the letter
    "I" and the number "1". The difference will be obvious from the
    context of what you are spelling. When you finish a word, "wipe it
    off" using the palm of your hand. This action indicates that you
    have finished one word and you are beginning a new word.

######### Keep in mind that the special service request (SSR) field of the passenger name record (PNR) may contain information concerning a passenger who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. 

**Guiding a Person Who is Deaf-Blind**

-   Touch the person gently and offer your arm. Let the person take your
    upper arm near your body; this way he or she can feel the change in
    gait as you approach different barriers and prepare for them. Don't
    take or grab the arm of the person who is deaf-blind (particularly
    the arm with which the person is holding a cane or guide dog
    harness) and don't push him or her along. If the person has a guide
    dog, go to the side opposite the service animal and offer your arm
    (usually the person's right side). Remember the person who is
    deaf-blind cannot hear you. Therefore, information regarding
    obstacles, stairs, etc. must be given tactually. Deaf-blind people
    often have poor balance so it is helpful to offer a steady hand to
    aid in orientation. Never leave a deaf-blind person in an open
    space, place his or her hand on a wall, post, railing, or whatever
    is available.

###### Service Animals

######### Never pet or distract a service animal accompanying a person who has a disability. Don't separate passengers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind from their service animals. 

***[Tips for Assisting People Who Have Mobility
Disabilities]{.underline}***

######### Communication

-   If a person uses a term to describe a mobility disability that you
    are not familiar with or that you don't understand, ask the person
    to tell you what his or her needs are. If you need additional
    information, you should contact the CRO to discuss how best to
    proceed.

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-   If individual safety briefings are required, conduct them discreetly
    with respect for the privacy of the person with a mobility
    disability.

-   When having a long conversation with a person who is using a
    wheelchair, stoop down or sit nearby so that you are closer to eye
    level.

###### 

###### Wheelchairs and Other Assistive Devices

######### Be aware of the types of wheelchairs and assistive devices used by people with mobility disabilities when traveling. You must be able to provide information to people about the different types of wheelchairs, services, and other equipment provided or accommodated by your carrier on the particular flight. 

-   Understand the proper function and storage of the different types of
    wheelchairs and assistive devices. Ask the person with the mobility
    disability the best way to handle the device.

-   Consider keeping information handy about businesses providing
    wheelchair repair in the area in case a person with a mobility
    disability needs the information.

###### Assisting with Transfers and Movement through Terminal

######### If you must transfer a person with a mobility disability from an aisle chair to a seat on the aircraft, or perform any other kind of transfer, explain the transfer procedures and listen to any instructions or preferences from the person before undertaking the transfer. 

-   Be aware that, under the law, you can never physically hand-carry a
    person with a mobility disability (even if both of you are willing)
    except in an emergency evacuation situation.

-   When providing transportation between gates, ask the person with the
    mobility disability if the person would prefer to be pushed or not.
    If the answer is yes, use elevators and avoid escalators and moving
    walkways. When maneuvering through the terminal, say, "Excuse us."
    Not, "Excuse me."

-   Be aware that, under the law, carriers are not permitted to charge
    passengers with disabilities for services or equipment required by
    part 382. If, however, a passenger with a disability voluntarily
    offers to tip you for providing a service, you should consult your
    carrier's policy to determine whether you can accept it.

###### 

###### Service Animals

######### Never pet or distract a service animal accompanying a person who has a mobility disability. Don't separate passengers with a mobility disability from their service animals. 

***[Tips for Assisting People Who Have Difficulty
Speaking]{.underline}***

**Communication**

-   Ask the person how he or she prefers to communicate.

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-   A pencil and paper may be okay for short conversations.

-   If you do not understand something that is said, tell the person you
    don't understand and ask the person to repeat.

-   Be patient, it may take a while to communicate.

-   Let the individual speak without attempting to finish his or her
    sentence.

-   To obtain information quickly, ask short questions that require
    brief "yes" or "no" answers.

######### Don't shout.

-   Difficulty speaking does not indicate a lack of intelligence.

#########  

######### *[Tips for Assisting People Who Have Disabilities that are Not Apparent]{.underline}*

###### Communication

-   Do not make assumptions about the needs of people if their behavior
    appears to be unusual to you. Cognitive disabilities may cause
    people to reason, draw conclusions, or respond more slowly. People
    with cognitive disabilities may appear easily distracted. Depending
    upon the disability, the person may understand materials in written
    form or through a verbal explanation. They may also find the
    background noise of a busy airport terminal extremely distracting.

-   Disregard any speech impairments or physical tics by being patient
    and aware of your own body language and facial expressions that
    could convey your own discomfort.

-   If individual safety briefings are required, conduct them discreetly
    with respect for the privacy of the person with a disability that is
    not apparent. Similarly, if there is a concern that the person is
    not medically stable enough for air travel, conduct the inquiry in a
    discreet manner and involve the CRO, if necessary.

-   If a person with a disability that is not apparent uses a term to
    describe a disability that you are not familiar with or that you
    don't understand, ask the person to tell you what his or her needs
    are. If you need additional information, you should contact the CRO
    to discuss how best to proceed.

###### 

###### Service and Emotional Support Animals 

######### Be aware that people who have disabilities that are not apparent may travel with emotional support animals or other service animals. Never pet or distract a service animal accompanying a person who has a disability that is not apparent. Don't separate passengers from their service or emotional support animals. 

**Alphabetical Index**

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Advance notice 27-31, 55                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Air travelers with disabilities traveling as a group 27, 28           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Optional services and equipment 29                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Services and equipment 27                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) 1-3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 15, 82            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Air carrier *see* Carrier                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Airport facilities or airport 4, 9-12, 14, 20-21, 22, 24, 25, 30, 45, |
|                                                                       |
| 49, 68, 70, 73, 81, 82-84, 86, 94, 98, 106                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Accessibility of terminal facilities and services 45-46               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Baggage claim area 73                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Copy of 14 CFR Part 382 24                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Standards for Accessible Design under the Americans with Disabilities |
| Act 45                                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Aircraft                                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Accessibility 54-56                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats 30, 42, 54                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Aircraft with more than 60 passenger seats 42, 55                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Aircraft with fewer than 60 passenger seats 27, 30                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Aircraft with 100 or more passenger seats 24, 54                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Aisle armrest 32, 54, 58                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Fixed 21, 58                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Movable 32, 54, 61, 62                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Information about 31-32                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Lavatory 28, 32, 42, 50, 52, 55, 71, 77                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Maintenance of 11                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Replacement of interior elements, etc. 55, 56                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Retrofitting 55                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Stowage space 24, 56, 72                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Substitution of another 31                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Air transportation 5, 8, 9, 12, 22, 33, 34, 51                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Assistive devices 8, 9, 23, 27, 32, 46, 47, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73,       |
| 74-77, 95, 99, 103                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Canes 23, 70, 95, 99, 101                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Carry-on item 23, 24, 70-73, 77, 78, 99                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Checked baggage 71, 72, 74                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Liability concerning loss of or damage to 32, 76                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Waiver of liability 32, 76                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Note preexisting damage 32, 76                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Medical devices and medications 9, 72                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Mobility aids 32, 46, 47, 77                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Wheelchairs *see* Wheelchair                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Attendant 23, 44, 50-53, 58, 79, 96                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Decision contrary to self-assessment of passenger 51-53               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Interpreter 58, 80, 96                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Personal care 50, 58                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Purpose of 52, 53                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Reader/Assistant 58                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Recruiting 52, 53                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Require 23, 44, 50-51                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Safety as the basis for requiring 51                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Seating assignment 51, 58, 66                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Awareness and Sensitivity 85, 91-107                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Training 85, 97-98                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Baggage 8, 9, 10, 15, 23, 71-78                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Carry-on 23, 71-72, 73, 78                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Checked 71-72, 73, 74                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Handlers 8, 10, 15                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Blind or visually-impaired individuals 24, 58, 81, 91, 92, 96, 97-99  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Accommodations 24, 58                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Tips for assisting 91, 92, 96, 97-99                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Boarding or enplaning and deplaning assistance 4, 7, 18, 21, 23, 24,  |
| 42, 43, 66-70, 77                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Services personnel and equipment 42-43, 47,66                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Ramps or mechanical lifts 42, 47, 66, 67, 68                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Level-entry boarding 67-68                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Prohibition against hand-carrying 67, 68-69                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Cargo compartment, bay, or hold 32, 34, 35, 71, 73                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Carrier *passim*                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Contractors of 1, 8, 10, 32                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Domestic or U.S. 2, 3, 15, 90                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Employees or personnel of 1, 2, 8, 10, 15, 19, 32, 44, 47, 49, 51,    |
| 52, 53, 67, 78, 80, 83, 85                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Foreign 3, 15, 90                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Indirect 1, 12, 15                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Policies and procedures of 6, 9, 12, 30, 35-36, 38, 44, 78, 85, 86,   |
| 87-89, 104                                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Charges for services and accommodations 25, 26, 71,75, 104            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| General prohibition against 25, 51, 52-53, 71, 75, 104                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Reasonable charges for optional services 25                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Changing planes or providing transportation between gates 18, 23, 42, |
| 47- 48, 104                                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Assistance 18, 23, 42, 47-48, 104                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Obligation of delivering carrier 47-48                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Civil rights of air travelers with disabilities 1, 89                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Communicable disease or infection 37-39, 40-42                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| If direct threat to health or safety of others 38-39, 40              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Refuse transportation 37-37, 41                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Require medical certificate 37-39, 40-42                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Impose special condition or restriction 39, 41                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Complaints, disability-related 3, 4, 9-10, 25, 82-90                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Complaints resolution official (CRO) 9-10, 25, 28, 36, 38, 41, 42,    |
| 49-50, 51,                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 53, 67, 69, 82-90, 97, 101, 103, 106                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Availability 9-10, 25, 49-50, 82-83, 86, 90                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| In person 86                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| By telephone or TTY 49-50, 86                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Complaints made during the trip 83-84                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Written complaints received after the trip 84-85                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Recording, categorizing, and reporting 90                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Responsibilities of carrier employees other than CRO 85-86            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Process to resolve 86                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ACCESS 4, 87-88                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| General complaint resolution tips 89-90                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Connecting assistance *see* Changing planes or providing              |
| transportation between gates                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Contractor or contractor employee 1, 8, 10, 32                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Customer service 4, 5, 28, 31, 39, 43, 48, 50, 53, 64, 72, 76, 84,    |
| 86, 87, 89, 93                                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind individuals 13-14, 17, 24, 36,   |
| 37, 48-50, 58, 80-81, 83, 91, 92, 96, 100-102                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Accommodations 24, 37, 48-50, 80-81, 83                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Tips for assisting 100-102                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Definitions 8-14                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Department of Transportation (DOT) 2-5, 8, 10-11, 33, 34, 49, 54, 64, |
| 68, 73, 84, 85, 90                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Disability hotline 11, 49, 82                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Enforcement action 2, 5, 8, 84, 85                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deplaning *see* Boarding or enplaning and deplaning                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Disability *passim*                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Individual with a 12, 20, 22, 23, 26, 32, 57, 92, 95                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Involuntary behavior 22, 56-57                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Qualified individual with a 12, 20, 22, 78                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Physical or mental impairment 12, 15, 16 18, 19, 92-93                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| "Record of" a 12, 16, 18                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| "Regarded as" having a 12, 16, 19                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Self-identify as a person with a 20, 57, 92, 96, 100                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Substantial limitation on major life activity 17-20                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Temporary 12, 15, 17-18                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Electric carts 23, 99                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Enplaning *see* Boarding or enplaning and deplaning                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Extraordinary medical assistance 39                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Facility *see* Airport facilities or airport                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Feasible or feasibility 30-32, 54                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 6, 7, 10, 11, 23, 25, 33, 56,   |
| 65, 70, 71, 72                                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Airworthiness directives 7                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Flight *passim*                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Cancellation 22, 31                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Delay 24, 29-31, 43, 48, 68, 74, 81                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Incubator 29, 39, 51, 52                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Indirect air carrier 1, 8, 9                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Information *passim*                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Accessibility of the aircraft 31-32                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Safety briefings 6, 24, 32, 51, 79-80                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Sources of 1, 4-5, 95                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Carriers' web sites 72                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Reservation agent 60                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Timely and complete access to 24, 48, 49-50, 81                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Interacting with people with disabilities *passim*                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| General tips 91-96                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Tips for assisting                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Blind or visually-impaired individuals 91, 94-96, 97-99               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind individuals 91, 94-96, 100-102   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Individuals with mobility disabilities 91, 94-96, 103-104             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Individuals with non-apparent disabilities 91, 92, 94-96, 106-107     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Individuals who have difficulty speaking 91, 94-96, 105               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Involuntary behavior *see* Disability                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Lavatory on the aircraft 28, 32, 42, 50, 52, 55, 71, 77               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Accessible 28, 32, 42, 55                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Inaccessible 28, 55                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Medical certificate 23, 37-42                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Communicable disease or infection 37-39, 40-42                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Medical oxygen 25, 29, 30-31, 39                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Advance notice 29, 30-31                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Mobility aid 32, 46, 47, 77                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Obesity 16                                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pre-boarding 22, 24, 64, 72-73, 92                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Qualified individual with a disability *see* Disability               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Refusal or denial of transportation 6, 19, 20, 22, 23, 37-39, 41,     |
| 56-57                                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Relay call or operator 14, 49                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Reservations 28, 37, 51, 60, 62, 63, 97                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Respirator 29, 70                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Safety *passim*                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Attendants 23, 51-53                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Authority of pilot in command 83, 88                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FAA regulations 6, 7, 10, 11, 23, 25, 33, 56, 65, 70, 71, 72          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Individual safety briefings 6, 24, 32, 51, 79-80                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Seating assignments and accommodations 20-21. 32, 33-34, 37, 56-66    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Advance seat assignments 59-62                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| "Blocking" method 59-60                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| "Priority" method 60-62                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Emergency exit row seating 23                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| No advance seat assignments 64                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pre-boarding 64                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Other 64                                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Safety 32, 56-57                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Specific seating accommodations required by law 57-59                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Seating accommodations for air travelers with disabilities other than |
| those required by law 62-64                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Security 7, 14, 46-47, 99                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Airport 14                                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Mobility aid or assistive device 46-47                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Screenings 7, 14, 46-47                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Private 47                                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 7, 14                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Services and equipment 4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 18, 22, 27-31, 42-44, 47, 66, |
| 71, 77-79, 88, 92                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Advance notice for particular services and equipment 27-31            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Optional services and equipment 25, 29                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Incubator 29, 39, 51, 52                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Medical oxygen for use on board 25, 29, 30-31, 39                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Respirator hook up 29                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Reasonable charge 25, 29                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Stretcher 25, 29, 39, 51, 52                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Required services and equipment 42-44                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Service animals 5, 13, 25, 33-37, 58, 60, 61-62, 63, 64, 99, 102,     |
| 104, 106-107                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Emotional support animals 13, 33, 34, 35, 106-107                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Seat assignments and accommodations 25, 33, 37, 58, 60, 61-62, 63, 64 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Verification of 34-36                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Stowage and treatment of personal equipment 18, 23, 24, 43-44, 54,    |
| 56, 70-78                                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Assistive devices 23, 24, 43, 54, 56, 70-78                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| In the cabin 18, 23, 54, 56, 70-72                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| In the cargo compartment 24, 71                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Wheelchairs 24, 43-44, 54, 56, 70-78                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| In the cabin 54, 56, 72-73, 75                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| In cargo compartment 24, 71, 73-77                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Stretcher 25, 29, 39, 51, 52                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 13-14                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Terminal facilities *see* Airport facilities or airport               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Text telephones (TTY) 10, 11, 13-14, 25, 37, 49-50, 82, 83,100        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Relay call or operator 14, 49                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Training 43, 44, 45, 67, 82, 85, 97-98                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Employees and contractors 85                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 7, 14                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Travel agents 15                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Ventilators 70                                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Wheelchair *passim*                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Aisle chair 21, 23, 28, 44, 58, 61-62, 77, 104                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Assembly and disassembly 32, 43-44, 75-76                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Assistance 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, 23 25, 27, 45, 47-48, 66, 71          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Battery-powered 27, 29-30, 43-44, 72, 74-77                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Hazardous materials 27, 30, 73, 75                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Non-spillable battery 70, 74                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Spillable battery 30, 74, 76                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Boarding 28, 42, 67, 69-70                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Collapsible 24, 72, 73, 75, 78                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Folding 24, 28, 54, 56, 72, 73, 75                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Ground 42, 47-48                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| On-board 28, 42-43, 55, 56, 77                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Stowage *see* Stowage and treatment of personal equipment           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

## 

**Part 382 Index**

  --------------------------------------------------- -------------------
  **382.5 Definitions**                               

  382.5                                               8, 9, 11, 12

  382.5(a)(1)                                         92

  382.5(a)(2)                                         92

                                                      

  **382.7 General prohibition of discrimination**     

  382.7                                               10

  382.7(a)(1)                                         22

  382.7(a)(2)                                         22

  382.7(a)(3)                                         22

                                                      

  **382.21 Aircraft accessibility**                   

  382.21                                              32

  382.21(a)(2)                                        24, 54, 56

  382.21(a)(3)                                        55

  382.21(a)(4)                                        42

  382.21(a)(4)(i)                                     55, 56

  382.21(a)(4)(ii)                                    55

  382.21(a)(4)(iii)                                   42

  382.21(a)(i)                                        54

  382.21(a)(ii)                                       54

  382.21(b)(1)                                        55

  382.21(b)(2)                                        55

  382.21(c)                                           55

  382.21(e)                                           56

  382.21(f)                                           56

                                                      

  **382.23 Airport facilities**                       

  382.23(b)                                           45

  382.23(c)                                           45

  382.23(d)                                           45

  382.23(e)                                           45

                                                      

  **382.31 Refusal of transportation**                

  382.31                                              20, 56

  382.31(a)                                           22

  382.31(b)                                           22

  382.31(c)                                           22

  382.31(d)                                           22, 23

  382.31(e)                                           19

                                                      

  **382.33 Advance notice requirements**              

  382.33(a)                                           27

  382.33(b)(1)                                        29

  382.33(b)(5)                                        28

  382.33(b)(6)                                        28

  382.33(b)(7)                                        28

  382.33(b)(8)                                        28,55

  382.33(c)                                           29

  382.33(e)                                           29

  382.33(f)                                           31

                                                      

  **382.35 Attendants**                               

  382.35(a)                                           23, 44, 50

  382.35(b)                                           51

  382.35(b)(1)                                        51, 52

  382.35(b)(2)                                        51

  382.35(b)(3)                                        51

  382.35(b)(4)                                        51

  382.35(c)                                           51

  382.35(d)                                           51

  382.35(e)                                           52

                                                      

  **382.37 Seat assignments**                         

  382.37(a)                                           23, 32, 56

  382.37(b)                                           56

  382.37(c)                                           34

                                                      

  **382.38 Seating accommodations**                   

  382.38                                              20, 21

  382.38(a)(1)                                        58

  382.38(b)(1)(i)(ii)(iii)                            59

  382.38(a)(2)(i)                                     58

  382.38(a)(2)(ii)                                    58

  382.38(a)(2)(iii)                                   58

  382.38(a)(3)                                        37, 58

  382.38(a)(4)                                        58

  382.38(b)(2)(i)                                     60

  382.38(b)(2)(ii)                                    61

  382.38(b)(2)(iii)                                   61

  382.38(c)                                           62

  382.38(c)(1)(i)                                     63

  382.38(c)(2)(i)                                     63

  382.38(c)(2)(ii)                                    63

  382.38(d)                                           64

  382.38(e)                                           64

  382.38(f)                                           65

  382.38(g)                                           65

  382.38(h)                                           65

  382.38(i)                                           65

  382.38(j)                                           32,65

                                                      

  **382.39 Provision of services and equipment**      

  382.39(a)                                           42, 47, 66

  382.39(a)(1)                                        23, 42, 47, 66

  382.39(a)(2)                                        67, 69

  382.39(a)(3)                                        48, 67

  382.39(b)(1)                                        77

  382.39(b)(2)                                        77

  382.39(b)(3)                                        77

  382.39(b)(4)                                        77

  382.39(b)(5)                                        23, 77

  382.39(c)                                           50

  382.39(c)(1)                                        79

  382.39(c)(2)                                        79

  382.39(c)(3)                                        79

                                                      

  **382.40 Boarding assistance for small aircraft**   

  382.40                                              67

  382.40(a)                                           68

  382.40(b)                                           68

  382.40(c)(3)                                        68

  382.40(c)(4)                                        68

  382.40(c)(5)                                        67

  382.40(d)                                           67

                                                      

  **382.40a Boarding assistance for large aircraft**  

  382.40a                                             67

  382.40a(a)                                          68

  382.40a(b)                                          68

  382.40a(c)(3)                                       68

  382.40a(d)                                          67

                                                      

  **382.41 Stowage of personal equipment**            

  382.41                                              70

  382.41(b)                                           70, 71

  382.41(c)                                           23, 70, 71

  382.41(d)                                           71

  382.41(e)                                           72

  382.41(e)(1)                                        24, 72

  382.41(e)(2)                                        24, 73

  382.41(e)(3)                                        73

  382.41(f)                                           73

  382.41(f)(1)                                        72, 73

  382.41(f)(2)                                        74

  382.41(f)(3)                                        71, 74

  382.41(g)                                           74

  382.41(g)(1)                                        74

  382.41(g)(2)                                        30, 75

  382.41(g)(3)                                        30, 75

  382.41(g)(4)                                        75

  382.41(g)(5)                                        75

  382.41(h)                                           32, 43, 75

                                                      

  **382.43 Treatment of mobility aids and assistive   
  devices**                                           

  382.43(a)                                           32, 76

  382.43(b)                                           76

  382.43(c)                                           32, 76

                                                      

  **382.45 Passenger information**                    

  382.45                                              32

  382.45(b)(2)                                        79

  382.45(b)(3)                                        80

  382.45(b)(4)                                        80

  382.45(c)                                           24, 48, 81

  382.45(d)                                           24

                                                      

  **382.47 Accommodations for persons with hearing    
  impairments**                                       

  382.47                                              24

  382.47(a)                                           37, 49

  382.47(b)                                           37, 49, 80

  382.47(b)(1)                                        80

  382.47(b)(2)                                        80

  382.47(b)(3)                                        80

                                                      

  **382.49 Security screening of passengers**         

  382.49(a)                                           46

  382.49(c)                                           47

                                                      

  **382.51 Communicable diseases**                    

  382.51(a)                                           38

  382.51(b)(1)                                        38

  382.51(b)(4)                                        39

                                                      

  **382.53 Medical certificates**                     

  382.53(a)                                           23, 39

  382.53(b)                                           39

  382.53(c)                                           39

  382.53(c)(1)                                        40

  382.53(c)(2)                                        40, 41, 42

                                                      

  **382.55 Miscellaneous provisions**                 

  382.55                                              13, 25

  382.55(a)                                           33

  382.55(a)(1)                                        34

  382.55(a)(3)                                        37

  382.55(b)                                           79

  382.55(c)                                           46

                                                      

  **382.57 Charges for accommodations prohibited**    

  382.57                                              25, 71, 75

                                                      

  **382.61 Training**                                 

  382.61(a)                                           45

  382.61(a)(1)                                        85

  382.61(a)(2)                                        85

  382.61(a)(7)                                        82

                                                      

  **382.65 Compliance procedures**                    

  382.65                                              10, 25

  382.65(a)                                           82

  382.65(a)(1)                                        82, 83

  382.65(a)(2)                                        49

  382.65(a)(3)                                        82

  382.65(a)(4)                                        83

  382.65(a)(5)(i)                                     83

  382.65(a)(5)(ii)                                    83

  382.65(a)(5)(iii)                                   84

  382.65(a)(5)(iv)                                    83, 84

  382.65(b)                                           84

  382.65(b)(1)                                        84

  382.65(b)(3)                                        84

  382.65(b)(3)(i)                                     85

  382.65(b)(3)(iii)                                   85

                                                      

  **382.70 Disability--related complaints received by 
  carriers**                                          

  382.70                                              3

  382.70(b)                                           90

  382.70(c)                                           90

  382.70(d)                                           90

                                                      

                                                      

                                                      

                                                      

                                                      
  --------------------------------------------------- -------------------

APPENDIX I

**Tips for Air Travelers with Disabilities**

**Tips for Air Travelers with Disabilities**

There are some commonly used accommodations, facilities, and services
that carriers are required to make available to passengers with
disabilities. Appendix I sets forth a list of tips or general guidelines
for air travelers with disabilities to keep in mind that relate to these
commonly used accommodations, facilities, and services. Therefore, the
"you" referred to herein is an air traveler with a disability or air
travelers with disabilities. Below are some specific tips.

**[Ask Questions and Provide Instructions]{.underline}**

Know what to ask carrier personnel. You can ask for and carrier
personnel must be able to provide information about aircraft
accessibility, seating and movable armrests, lavatory accessibility,
boarding options, and storage facilities on board, among other things.

Although advance notice is not generally required, understand that
providing detailed information about the accommodations you need in
advance of travel will assist carrier personnel in providing those
accommodations in a correct and timely manner.

If you are transferring planes, you may want to investigate whether your
trip involves more than one carrier. If so, contact each carrier to
determine whether it is able to fully accommodate you. Keep in mind that
carriers might provide such optional accommodations on their "mainline"
flights only, not on the flights operated by their smaller code-share
affiliates. For example, some carriers do not provide medical oxygen on
board. Don't assume that by communicating with the carrier for the first
leg of your trip, other carriers handling the rest of the journey are
fully briefed and able to accommodate you. Similarly, when booking
reservations online, you may want to consider contacting each carrier by
telephone to determine the carrier's individual policies and to provide
and receive specific information to ensure your needs are met for each
leg of your journey.

If you are receiving assistance with transportation between gates by
ground wheelchair, remember to instruct the personnel assisting you on
your specific needs, *e.g.*, whether or not you would like the airline
employee or contractor to push you and the ground wheelchair through the
terminal. Although in most instances you are not obligated to self
identify as a passenger with a disability, keep in mind that conveying
certain information or providing some guidance will permit carrier
personnel to assist you better.

Directing carrier personnel to remove footrests (if possible) and other
removable parts of personal wheelchairs and stow them in the cabin may
help to reduce the potential for damage to the wheelchair while it is
stowed in the cabin or in the cargo hold.

[Boarding Assistance]{.underline}

When communicating to carrier personnel about your need for boarding
assistance, be as specific as possible about the type or level of
boarding assistance you require. More specifically, if, for example, you
are completely immobile, ask carrier personnel to provide a wheelchair
to transport you to and from the gate, a lift (if necessary), and
assistance transferring from an aisle chair to a seat. If, for example,
you are able to walk short distances, but cannot ascend and descend
steps, ask carrier personnel to provide a wheelchair for longer
distances to and from the aircraft and a lift (if necessary). If, for
example, you can ascend and descend stairs and can walk shorter
distances but have difficulty walking longer distances, ask carrier
personnel to provide a wheelchair or electric cart for longer distances
to and from the aircraft.

Carrier personnel are not permitted to physically hand-carry a passenger
with a disability on or off a plane, except in the case of an emergency
evacuation. Keep in mind that if none of the options for boarding a
particular flight is acceptable to you, you may have to wait for another
flight or alter your travel plans.

**[Carrying Assistive Devices and Keeping Them Near You]{.underline}**

Carrying medicine or other assistive devices like syringes as a carry-on
item that you may need in the case of a flight cancellation or a missed
flight may be a good idea. At times, passengers get separated
unexpectedly from checked baggage. If you do decide to carry medication
or other assistive devices with you on board, the items cannot be
counted towards your carry-on baggage limit.

You are entitled to keep your assistive device near you on board as long
as it does not interfere with safety requirements.

**[Carry Information and Useful Documentation]{.underline}**

Bringing photocopies of instructions about the assembly and disassembly
of wheelchairs and other assistive devices when you access air
transportation may be a good idea. You can provide that information to
carrier personnel storing or checking your wheelchair or assistive
device. Attaching a laminated set of brief instructions to a wheelchair
itself may also be a good idea in the event that your wheelchair is
disassembled or reassembled in a secure area to which you do not have
access.

Bringing photocopies of receipts, warranties, or other product
information concerning a wheelchair or assistive device may be useful if
the item is lost or damaged in transit. It might help with locating a
repair option or processing a claim for liability against the carrier
responsible for the loss or damage.

**[Complaints]{.underline}**

Be aware that a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO) must be made
available to you if you ask to speak with a manager or supervisor about
a disability-related complaint. A CRO may be made available in person or
by telephone. Passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing must be
permitted to communicate with a CRO via a TTY on request.

If you make a written complaint, you should state whether a CRO was
contacted when the matter arose and, if so, include the name of the CRO
and the date of the contact, if available, and any written response
received from the CRO.

**[Familiarize Yourself with the Law]{.underline}**

Knowledge of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and its implementing
regulations (14 CFR part 382) will permit you to be able to ask the
right questions and share the most useful information with carriers.
Some passengers with disabilities bring a copy of the regulations with
them when they access air transportation in order to have the primary
resource close at hand. Carriers must maintain a copy of the regulations
at each airport they use. Therefore, if you are at an airport and have a
question about the regulations, you may ask to review them and the
carrier must provide them.

**[Individual Safety Briefings]{.underline}**

You may receive an individual safety briefing under certain
circumstances. If so, you should be provided an accessible safety
briefing and it must be performed in a discreet manner. Keep in mind
that you may need to provide information to carrier personnel to ensure
that the individual safety briefing is accessible to you.

**[Limitations on Accommodations]{.underline}**

Carrier personnel are expressly prohibited from performing certain
tasks. For example, carrier personnel cannot physically hand-carry you
on or off an airplane except in an emergency evacuation. In addition,
while on board, carrier personnel are not required to administer
medication to you, feed you, or accompany you into the lavatory to
assist you.

**[Pre-boarding as an Option]{.underline}**

Although you are not required to pre-board, choosing to take advantage
of a pre-boarding opportunity may assist you in securing a seating
accommodation when a carrier does not provide advance seat assignments.
In this situation, as a passenger with a disability, you may choose to
pre-board before all other passengers. You can select a seat that best
meets your needs if you have taken advantage of the opportunity to
pre-board.

Pre-boarding may also permit you to secure the allotted stowage for your
wheelchair or assistive device or it may permit easier access to
overhead compartments if you are stowing your assistive device or parts
of your wheelchair onboard.

**[Safety Always Considered]{.underline}**

You should keep in mind that carriers are obligated to take the safety
of *all* passengers into consideration when making decisions about
accommodations for passengers with disabilities. At times, safety
requires placing certain limitations on accommodations, *e.g.*, a
service animal cannot block the aisle or an exit.

**[Seating Assignments]{.underline}**

When requesting a particular seat assignment, it is useful to be as
specific as possible about the type of seat that will meet your needs as
a passenger with a disability. For example, instead of merely asking for
an "accessible" seat, it is more helpful to provide some details about
your specific needs, *e.g.*, ask for a bulkhead seat or an aisle seat
with a movable armrest. This way, carrier personnel can determine the
most appropriate seating accommodation for you.

**[Service Animals]{.underline}**

It is not required under the law to provide advance notice if you are
traveling with a service animal. However, in order to guarantee your
seat assignment, you should be aware that, depending on whether the
carrier provides advance seat assignments and the type of seating method
it uses, it may have a policy requiring passengers with a disability (i)
to request a particular seat assignment 24 hours in advance of the
departure of the flight or (ii) to check in at least an hour before the
departure of the flight. Carriers are obligated to make a good faith
effort to accommodate you and your service animal regardless of whether
you comply with the carrier's advance seat assignment policy and/or
advance check-in requirement. Keep in mind that requesting your seat
assignment well in advance of the flight may permit you to secure the
specific seat assignment you would like with the least amount of
waiting, inconvenience, or hassle to you.

**[Resources for Air Travelers with Disabilities]{.underline}**

*DOT Web site*

DOT posts useful information for all consumers, including air travelers
with disabilities, on its web site at
[http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov](http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/). Click
on "Travel Tips and Publications." The following publications are useful
for air travelers with disabilities: Plane Talk -- Passengers with
Disabilities, Fly Rights, and New Horizons: Information for the Air
Traveler with a Disability.

Air travelers with disabilities can also access recent DOT enforcement
orders to review DOT determinations involving the ACAA and part 382 by
going to [www.dot.gov](http://www.dot.gov/) and clicking on "Dockets and
Regulations." *See* Appendix III for additional instructions for
searching this data base of DOT enforcement orders and for a chart
listing those enforcement orders related to the ACAA.

*DOT Hotline*

The toll free telephone hotline system that provides general information
about the rights of air travelers with disabilities, responds to
requests for information, and assists air travelers with time-sensitive
disability-related issues. Members of the public may call 1-800-778-4838
(voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time,
seven days a week, to receive assistance regarding air travel by
individuals with disabilities.

*Carriers' Web Pages and Reservations Personnel*

Always check these resources when seeking information about services and
equipment when accessing air transportation.

# 

# 

# 

# APPENDIX II

**Airline Management-Related Issues**

**Airline Management-Related Issues**

Appendix II highlights provisions of the ACAA and the accompanying
regulations outlining specific responsibilities of management of
carriers, *i.e.*, requirements to be implemented by management employees
as opposed to personnel who deal with the traveling public, including
passengers with a disability. In places, these are overlapping
responsibilities and cross-references will be made to specific sections
of this manual.

######### Discrimination is Prohibited

######### Management of carriers are required to ensure that the carrier (either directly or indirectly through its contractual, licensing, or other arrangements for provision of air transportation) does not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability by reason of such disability. \[Sec. 382.7(a)(1)\] In addition, management of carriers should be aware that they are responsible for compliance with the ACAA and part 382 not only by their *own* employees, but also by employees of any company or entity performing functions on behalf of the carrier. 

######### 

######### More specifically, carriers cannot require a passenger with a disability to accept special services, *e.g.*, pre-boarding, not requested by the passenger. \[Sec. 382.7(a)(2)\] Carriers cannot exclude a qualified individual with a disability from or deny that individual the benefit of air transportation or related services that are available to other individuals, even if there are separate or different services available for passengers with a disability, except as provided by the ACAA and part 382. \[Sec. 382.7(a)(3)\] Carriers cannot take actions adverse to passengers with a disability if they assert their rights under the ACAA and part 382. \[Sec. 382.7(a)(4)\]

Carriers cannot limit the number of passengers with a disability on a
given flight. \[Sec. 382.31(c)\] Carriers must modify policies,
practices, and facilities as necessary to ensure nondiscrimination
consistent with the standards of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
as amended. Carriers are not required to make modifications that would
constitute an undue burden or would fundamentally alter their program.
\[Sec. 382.7(c)\]

***Refusal of Transportation***

Carriers cannot refuse transportation to a qualified individual with a
disability solely because the person's disability results in appearance
or involuntary behavior that may offend, annoy, or inconvenience others.
\[Sec. 382.31(b)\] Carriers must not refuse to provide transportation to
a passenger with a disability on the basis of his or her disability
unless it is expressly permitted by the ACAA and part 382. \[Sec.
382.31(a)\]

***Safety Considerations***

The ACAA does not require air carriers to disregard applicable FAA
safety regulations. \[Sec. 382.3(d)\]

Carriers may refuse to provide transportation to *any* passenger on the
basis of safety and if carriage would violate FAA regulations. However,
when carriers exercise this authority, they must not discriminate
against a passenger with a disability on the basis of disability. \[Sec.
382.31(d)\]

######### 

######### Written Explanation for Refusal of Transportation

######### When a carrier refuses to provide transportation to a passenger on a basis relating to disability, the carrier must specify in writing to the passenger the basis for the determination within 10 days of the refusal of transportation. \[Sec. 382.31(e)\] In the situation where refusal of transportation is based on safety concerns, the written notice must include the carrier's reasonable and specific basis for its opinion that transporting the passenger would be inimical to the safety of the flight. 

######### 

######### No Charge for Accommodating Passengers with a Disability 

######### Carriers cannot impose charges for providing facilities, equipment, or services that are required by the ACAA and its accompanying regulations for passengers with a disability. \[Sec. 382.57\] 

**Indirect Air Carriers**

If an indirect air carrier provides facilities or services for
passengers that are covered for other carriers by sections 382.21
through 382.55, the indirect air carrier must do so in a manner
consistent with those regulations. \[Sec. 382.7(b)\]

**Contractors and Travel Agents**

Carriers must receive assurances from their contractors who provide
services, including travel agents (except non-U.S. citizens providing
services outside the U.S.), that they will not discriminate on the basis
of disability when providing such services and include a clause with
that assurance in their contracts. \[Sec. 382.9(a)\] Similarly, their
contracts must contain a clause stating that contractor employees will
comply with directives issued by CRO's. \[Sec. 382.9(b)\]

**Accessibility of Airport Facilities**

All terminal facilities and services owned, leased, or operated by a
carrier at a commercial service airport, including parking and ground
transportation, must comply with the Standards for Accessible Design
under the Americans with Disabilities Act. \[Sec. 382.23(e)\] *See also*
49 CFR part 37, Appendix A. Carriers must ensure that these terminal
facilities and services are accessible to and usable by individuals with
disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs.[^4] Sec.
382.23(b)\] For example, carriers must ensure that there is an
accessible path between the gate and the boarding area. \[Sec.
382.23(c)\]

Contracts or leases between carriers and airport operators concerning
the use of airport facilities must set forth the respective
responsibilities of the parties for the provision of accessible
facilities and services to individuals with disabilities as required by
law. \[Sec. 382.23(f)\]

Carriers must not (i) restrict the movements of individuals with
disabilities in terminals; (ii) require them to remain in a holding area
or other location in order to receive assistance; or (iii) mandate
separate treatment for individuals with disabilities except as required
or permitted under part 382. \[Sec. 382.55(c)\]

### **Advance Notice and Reservation System**

Carriers' reservation and other administrative systems must ensure that
when advance notice is provided by a passenger with a disability as
provided by the ACAA and its implementing regulations (*see* Ch. 3,
Section A), the notice is recorded and properly transmitted to operating
employees responsible for providing the accommodation about which notice
was provided. \[Sec. 382.33(d)\]

### **Service Animals**

Regardless of your carrier's policies with respect to pets, carriers are
required by law to permit passengers with a disability to be accompanied
by service animals in the cabin. \[Sec. 382.55\] *See also* Ch. 3,
Section D and Appendix VI.

**Aircraft Accessibility**

When considering ordering, purchasing, or leasing aircraft, management
of carriers should keep in mind that the following features are required
for aircraft *ordered by* the carrier after April 5, 1990, or *delivered
to* the carrier after April 5, 1992. In addition, different size
airplanes must be equipped with different features according to the law.
For example, aircraft with:

-   30 or more passenger seats must have movable aisle armrests on at
    least half of the aisle seats where it is feasible and it does not
    interfere with safety \[Sec. 382.21(a)(i) and (ii)\];

-   100 or more passenger seats must have priority storage space within
    the cabin to stow at least one passenger's folding wheelchair \[Sec.
    382.21(a)(2)\] and DOT has interpreted that to mean a space at least
    13 inches wide, 36 inches high, and 42 inches long;

-   more than one aisle in which lavatories are provided must include at
    least one lavatory accessible to passengers with a disability
    accessing the lavatory with an on-board wheelchair \[Sec.
    382.21(a)(3)\];

-   more than 60 passenger seats having an accessible lavatory must be
    equipped with an on-board wheelchair \[Sec. 382.21(a)(4)(i)\]; and

-   more than 60 passenger seats having an inaccessible lavatory must be
    equipped with an on-board wheelchair when a passenger with a
    disability informs the carrier (providing advance notice under Sec.
    382.33(b)(8)) that he/she can use an inaccessible lavatory but
    cannot reach the lavatory from his or her seat without the use of an
    on-board wheelchair. \[Sec. 382.21(a)(4)(ii)\]

Requirements relating to retrofitting and replacing features to ensure
accessibility as well as providing on-board wheelchairs are covered by
other specific provisions. \[Secs. 382.21(b) and (c)\] However, any
replacement or refurbishing of the aircraft cabin must not reduce
existing accessibility to a level below that specified under the law.
\[Sec. 382.21(e)\] Carriers must maintain aircraft accessibility
features in proper working order. \[Sec. 382.21(f)\]

**Seating Accommodations**

Under certain circumstances, if a passenger self-identifies as a
passenger with a disability, carriers must provide seating
accommodations. \[Sec. 382.38(a)\] In order to provide these seating
accommodations and other seat assignment requests from passengers with a
disability, carriers may implement a reservation system to provide for
advance seat assignments. If a carrier provides advance seat
assignments, it may employ either the seat "blocking" method or the
"priority" seating method. Each method requires some advance notice on
the part of the passenger with a disability in order to guarantee the
seating accommodation. \[Secs. 382.38(b) and (c)\]

*Management of carriers should select an adequate reservation system to
meet its needs, ensure proper administration of the reservation system,
and provide employee training with respect to the reservation system and
the requirements under the law for providing seating accommodations for
passengers with disabilities.*

### 

### If carriers do not employ a system for advance seat assignments, if a passenger with a disability self-identifies, the passenger must be allowed to pre-board the aircraft and select a seat to accommodate a disability. \[Sec. 382.38(d)\] 

Carriers are not required to provide more than one seat per ticket or a
seat in a class of service other than the one the passenger has
purchased to accommodate a passenger with a disability in need of a seat
assignment to accommodate his or her disability. \[Sec. 382.38(i)\]

Carriers must comply with all FAA safety requirements in responding to
requests from individuals for seat assignment accommodations. \[Sec.
382.38(j)\]

###### Services and Equipment

*[Boarding Assistance in General]{.underline}*

If a passenger with a disability requests assistance getting on an
airplane or carrier personnel offer assistance and the passenger
consents, a carrier must provide such assistance with boarding. \[Sec.
382.39(a)\] The type of assistance carriers must offer includes, as
needed, services personnel and the use of wheelchairs, ramps, or
mechanical lifts. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(1)\]

Carriers must provide access to the airplane for passengers with a
disability by level-entry loading bridges or accessible passenger
lounges where these means are available. \[Sec. 382.39(a)(2)\] Depending
on the size of the aircraft, carriers have different obligations to
provide boarding assistance to individuals with a disability using
mechanical lifts, ramps, or other suitable devices that do not require
lifting or carrying passengers up stairs. \[Secs. 382.40 and 382.40a\]
*See also* Ch. 5, Section C.

Carriers must train to proficiency in the use of the boarding assistance
equipment and procedures regarding the safety and dignity of passengers
receiving boarding assistance. \[Secs. 382.40(d) and 382.40a(d)\]

*[Storing Wheelchairs and Other Assistive Devices in the
Cabin]{.underline}*

Carriers must allow passengers with a disability using personal
ventilators/respirators to bring their equipment, including
non-spillable batteries, on board the aircraft as long as FAA safety
regulations are met. \[Sec. 382.41(b)\] Carriers must permit passengers
to stow their canes and other assistive devices in the cabin and close
to their seats, consistent with FAA safety regulations concerning
carry-on items. \[Sec. 382.41(c)\]

Carriers must not count assistive devices toward the limit on carry-on
items when a passenger with a disability brings an assistive device on
board the aircraft. \[Sec. 382.41(d)\] Wheelchairs and other assistive
devices that cannot be stowed in the cabin must be stowed in the baggage
compartment with priority over other cargo and baggage. \[Sec.
382.41(f)(3)\] In addition, because carriers cannot charge for
facilities, equipment, or services required under the law to be provided
to qualified individuals with a disability, no charge would be imposed
if a wheelchair or assistive device exceeded the limit on checked
baggage. \[Sec. 382.57\]

Carriers must permit the in-cabin storage of wheelchairs or components
of wheelchairs, including folding, collapsible, or breakdown
battery-powered wheelchairs. \[Sec. 382.41(e)\] In addition, aircraft
with 100 or more passenger seats (ordered after April 5, 1990, or
delivered after April 5, 1992) must have a priority space in the cabin
designated for stowage of at least one passenger's folding wheelchair.
\[Sec. 382.21(a)(2)\]

###### *[On-Board Wheelchairs]{.underline}* 

When required, on-board wheelchairs must be equipped with specific
features and be designed to be compatible with the maneuvering space,
aisle width, and seat height of the aircraft on which they are to be
used, and to easily be pushed, pulled, and turned in the cabin
environment by carrier personnel. \[Sec. 382.21(a)(4)(iii)\]

*[Wheelchairs Unable to be Stowed in the Cabin as Carry-on]{.underline}*

When a folding, collapsible, or break-down wheelchair cannot be stowed
in the cabin as carry-on baggage, carriers must ensure the timely
checking and return of the passenger's wheelchair or other assistive
device as close as possible to the door of the aircraft. \[Sec.
382.41(f)\]

In order to ensure the timely return of a passenger's wheelchair or
other assistive device, carriers must maintain a baggage storage system
so that the wheelchair or other assistive device must be among the first
items retrieved from the baggage compartment \[Sec. 382.41(f)(2)\] and
it must be stowed in the baggage compartment with priority over other
items and baggage. \[Sec. 382.41(f)(3)\]

*[Battery-powered Wheelchairs]{.underline}*

Carriers must accept a passenger's battery-powered wheelchair, including
the battery, as checked baggage unless baggage compartment size and
aircraft airworthiness considerations prohibit it. \[Sec. 382.41(g)\]

Carriers may require that a passenger with a disability wishing to have
a battery-powered wheelchair transported on a flight (including in the
cabin) check in for the flight one hour before the scheduled departure
time. \[Sec. 382.41(g)(1)\]

If (i) the battery on the passenger's wheelchair has been labeled by the
manufacturer as *non-spillable* or (ii) the battery-powered wheelchair
with a *spillable* battery can be loaded, stored, secured, and unloaded
in an upright position, carriers must *not require* the battery to be
removed and separately packaged. Carrier personnel may remove and
package separately any battery that appears to be damaged or leaking.
\[Sec. 382.41(g)(2)\]

When it is necessary to detach a battery from a wheelchair, carriers
must provide packaging for the battery and package the battery
consistent with appropriate hazardous materials regulations. \[Sec.
382.41(g)(3)\]

*[Liability for Loss or Damage]{.underline}*

On domestic flights, the baggage liability limits do not apply for
liability for loss, damage, or delay concerning wheelchairs or other
assistive devices. Instead, the criterion for calculating the
compensation for lost, damaged, or destroyed wheelchairs or other
assistive devices must be the original price of the device. \[Sec.
382.43(b)\] Carrier personnel must not require a passenger with a
disability to sign a waiver of liability for damage to or loss of a
wheelchair or other assistive device. \[Sec. 382.43(c)\] Carrier
personnel may make notes about preexisting damage or conditions of
wheelchairs or other assistive devices.

###### Individual Safety Briefings and Timely and Complete Access to Information

Carriers must ensure that, upon request, passengers with a disability,
including those who are blind or visually impaired or deaf, hard of
hearing, or deaf-blind, have timely access to information being provided
to other passengers, including but not limited to, safety briefings
\[Secs. 382.45 and 382.47\] and information concerning ticketing, flight
delays, schedule changes, connections, flight check-in, gate
assignments, the checking and claiming of luggage, and aircraft changes
that will affect the travel of passengers with a disability. \[Sec.
382.45(c)\] *See also* Ch. 5, Section F. If the safety briefing is
presented to passengers on video screens, carriers must ensure that the
video presentation is accessible to passengers who are deaf or hard of
hearing. \[Sec. 382.47(b)\]

### **Complaint Procedures**

Carriers providing scheduled service must establish and implement a
complaint resolution mechanism including designation of one or more
complaints resolution officials (CRO's). \[Sec. 382.65(a)\] The carrier
must make the CRO available during *all times* the carrier is operating
at the airport. \[Sec. 382.65(a)(1)\] *See also* Ch. 6.

Certificated U.S. carriers and foreign carriers[^5] operating to, from,
and in the United States using at least one aircraft with more than 60
passenger seats, must record, categorize, and report written
disability-related complaints received by carriers to DOT on an annual
basis. \[Secs. 382.70(b) and (c)\] The first annual report for calendar
year 2004 was required to be submitted to DOT by January 25, 2005.
\[Sec. 382.70(d)\] In addition, carriers must use the form specified in
Appendix A to part 382 when making the annual report to DOT. Carriers
must develop a system for recording and collecting data regarding
specific categories of written disability-related complaints that they
receive according to the type of disability and the nature of the
complaint. \[Sec. 382.70(c)\]

**Employee Training**

Management of carriers should be aware that proper training of carrier
personnel is critical to compliance with the ACAA and part 382.

*Carriers operating aircraft with more than 19 passenger seats must
provide training for all personnel who deal with the traveling public,
as appropriate to the duties and responsibilities of each employee.
\[Sec. 382.61(a)\]*

### Carriers must provide training to proficiency in the requirements of the ACAA and its implementing regulations and other DOT and FAA regulations affecting the provision of air transportation to passengers with a disability, including the proper and safe operation of any equipment used to accommodate passengers with a disability. \[Sec. 382.61(a)(1)(i) and (ii)\] 

### 

### Carriers must also train employees who deal with the traveling public regarding awareness and appropriate responses to individuals with a disability, including individuals with physical, sensory, mental, and emotional disabilities, including how to distinguish among the differing abilities of individuals with a disability. \[Sec. 382.61(a)(2)\] 

### 

### Carriers must consult with organizations representing persons with disabilities in developing their training programs and policies concerning which carrier personnel receive training. \[Sec. 382.61(a)(3)\] 

### 

### Carriers must provide or require their contractors to provide training to contractors' employees who deal with the traveling public regarding providing air transportation to passengers with a disability. 

**Carrier Programs**

Carriers operating aircraft with more than 19 passenger seats must
establish and implement a written program for carrying out the
requirements of the law. \[Sec. 382.63(a)\] The program must include:
(i) a training schedule for training carrier personnel on compliance;
and (ii) the carrier's policies and procedures for accommodating
individuals with a disability consistent with the requirements under the
law. \[Sec. 382.63(b)\] DOT has the authority to request and review such
programs as appropriate. \[Secs. 382.63(c) and (d)\]

**Security Screenings**

Carriers must undertake any security screening of a passenger with a
disability in the same manner as any other passenger. *See* Ch. 4,
Section B. In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, however, in
most cases, TSA has taken over for carriers in the area of providing
security screenings of passengers. Should carriers resume this
responsibility or in cases where carriers still retain some involvement
in the security screening process, this section would be applicable to
carriers and contractors of carriers performing this function.

**APPENDIX III**

**Frequently Asked Questions**

> **Frequently Asked Questions**

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: What's the difference between the Air
Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: The ACAA, signed into law by then-President
Reagan in 1986, prohibits discrimination by *airlines* against
individuals with disabilities in commercial air transportation. The ADA,
signed into law after the ACAA in 1990 by then-President Bush, prohibits
discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment,
public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications, and
*transportation other than by commercial airlines* (*e.g.*, subway and
bus systems). \[Sec. 382.1\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: Do the ACAA and its implementing regulations
(14 CFR part 382 or part 382) apply to both U.S. and foreign carriers?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: When initially passed in 1986, the ACAA and
part 382 (subsequently issued in March 1990) applied only to U.S.
carriers. However, on April 5, 2000, Congress extended the applicability
of the ACAA to cover foreign carriers. At approximately the same time,
DOT issued a notice to foreign carriers advising them that the
Department intended to use the provisions of part 382, which by its
terms does not impose requirements on foreign air carriers, as guidance
in investigating any complaints it receives alleging noncompliance with
the ACAA by foreign carriers. The only provision of part 382 that
currently applies to foreign air carriers is Section 382.70(b), which
expressly requires foreign carriers to record, categorize, and report
written disability-related complaints associated with any flight segment
originating or terminating in the U.S. to DOT on an annual basis. DOT
will soon be issuing a revised part 382 that will apply to both U.S. and
foreign carriers. \[Sec. 382.3\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: Recently, I broke my leg and I'll be in a
cast and walking with crutches for several weeks. Am I covered by the
ACAA?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Yes. The ACAA and part 382 apply to
individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that, on a
permanent or *temporary* basis, substantially limits a major life
activity. Since your temporary impairment limits the major life activity
of walking, you are considered a qualified individual with a disability.
Therefore, you are covered by the ACAA and Part 382. \[Sec. 382.5\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: Am I entitled to the services and
accommodations required by part 382 if I'm a qualified individual with a
disability but I'm *not* a passenger, but rather I am just going to the
airport to meet a friend who is traveling?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Yes. Carriers are required, under appropriate
circumstances, to provide the services and accommodations mandated by
part 382, on request, to all qualified individuals with disabilities,
whether or not such individuals are passengers or simply using the
airport facility for other reasons (*e.g.*, meeting a friend, purchasing
a ticket for a future flight, etc.)

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: I understand that part 382 requires airlines
to provide wheelchair enplaning assistance, on request. I need
wheelchair assistance getting from the curb, at the entrance to the
airport, to the airplane. Are carriers required to provide wheelchair
service from the curb to the airplane or only from the ticket counter to
the airplane?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Part 382 requires carriers to provide
wheelchair enplaning help, on request, from the curb to the airplane on
departure, and from the airplane back out to the curb upon arrival.
However, carriers are not required to station employees at the curb to
await the arrival of passengers with disabilities. Therefore, it is
advisable to ask a friend or a cab driver to help in getting the
attention of carrier personnel in the terminal to obtain the required
assistance if the carrier does not have curb-side attendants. If
requested, after your flight arrives at your destination, the carrier
must also assist you in claiming your checked luggage before assisting
you in a wheelchair to the curb. \[Sec. 382.39\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: Are airlines allowed to charge for providing
services to passengers with disabilities?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Airlines are not allowed to charge passengers
for providing services or accommodations *required* by part 382, but may
charge for *optional* services or accommodations. Examples of required
services for which carriers may *not* charge are assistance with
enplaning, deplaning, and making flight connections, and the carriage of
assistive devices (including the provision of hazardous materials
packaging for wheelchair batteries, when appropriate). Examples of
optional services for which carriers may charge are the provision of
in-flight medical oxygen and stretcher service. \[Sec. 382.57\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: I was flying a U.S. carrier from New York to
California and they damaged my expensive battery-powered wheelchair. I
purchased this wheelchair last year for \$10,000. The repair cost was
\$3,000. Can the carrier limit the amount of money they pay me for this
claim to \$2,800, as they currently may for domestic baggage claims?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: No. On claims involving damage to assistive
devices on domestic flights, carriers may not invoke the liability limit
applicable to baggage claims. The criterion for calculating the
compensation for lost or damaged wheelchairs and other assistive devices
is the original purchase price of the device. In this instance, the
carrier should pay you or the repair company \$3,000 provided that you
can document the initial purchase price of the wheelchair and the cost
of the repair. You may also be entitled to reimbursement for the cost of
a loaner or rental wheelchair while yours is being repaired. \[Sec.
382.43\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: I'm flying from Cleveland to Chicago on ABC
Airlines and then connecting on XYZ Airlines on a flight from Chicago to
Seattle. I need wheelchair assistance to reach my connecting gate. Which
carrier is responsible for providing this wheelchair assistance to the
connecting gate?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: As the delivering carrier, ABC Airlines is
required to provide you with the requested wheelchair assistance in
reaching your connecting gate, at which point XYZ Airlines is then
responsible for providing you with assistance in enplaning onto your
connecting flight. The delivering carrier must assist you in reaching
your connecting gate even if you are traveling on two separate tickets
and the connecting flight is departing from a different terminal within
the same airport. However, you should make the need for such assistance
clear to ABC Airlines before the flight, if possible. \[Sec. 382.39\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: On aircraft that must have a priority
stowage space in the cabin for my personal folding wheelchair, do I
still get priority stowage for my folding wheelchair if the pilot
happens to have his personal belongings in that space when I pre-board?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Yes. Your personal folding wheelchair takes
priority over the personal carry-on items of the pilot and crew. \[Sec.
382.41(e)(2)\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: I fly with my service animal and normally
ask for a bulkhead seat, as it provides a little bit more room for my
service dog. On a recent flight, the carrier would not allow me to sit
in the bulkhead row with my service animal because the bulkhead row was
also an emergency exit row. Was the carrier correct in asking me to take
a seat other than a bulkhead seat in the emergency exit row?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Yes. The carrier was within its rights to
refuse to permit you to sit in the bulkhead seat with your service
animal, because the service animal may have blocked access to the
emergency exit. Carriers must comply with all applicable FAA safety
rules, even when attempting to accommodate the needs of passengers with
disabilities. In such instances, the carrier should permit you and your
service animal to move to another seat within the cabin that is not
located in an emergency exit row that best accommodates your needs.
\[Sec. 382.37\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: Is obesity considered a disability under the
ACAA and, if so, is an obese passenger entitled to two seats for the
price of one if he or she needs more than one seat?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Obesity in and of itself is not *necessarily*
a qualifying disability. However, obesity could be a qualifying
disability if, for example, it substantially limits a major life
activity, such as walking. If an obese passenger -- whether the
passenger is a qualified individual with a disability or not -- occupies
more than one seat, airlines may charge that passenger for the number of
seats the passenger occupies. Also, there may be certain obese persons
who are too heavy to be safely accommodated on certain aircraft, *e.g.*,
because of safety limitations on seatbelts. \[Secs. 382.5 and
382.38(i)\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: I require medical oxygen when I travel by
air. Are airlines required to provide in-flight medical oxygen and, if
so, may they charge passengers for providing medical oxygen?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Although many of the major U.S. carriers
currently provide in-flight medical oxygen for a fee, part 382 does not
require them to do so. Those carriers that choose to provide in-flight
medical oxygen may charge passengers for this service, just as they may
for other optional services, such as stretcher service. \[Sec. 382.33\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: I'm a paraplegic and travel with my personal
manual wheelchair. May airlines require me to travel with an attendant?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Airlines may not require a passenger with a
mobility impairment to travel with an attendant if that passenger can
physically *assist* in his or her evacuation. Since, in most instances,
paraplegics have use of their arms and upper bodies, they can usually
physically assist in their evacuation and generally should not be
required to travel with an attendant. To the contrary, quadriplegics
with no use of their arms or legs can be required to fly with an
attendant. \[Sec. 382.35\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: I'm deaf and want to make sure that I
receive important information such as schedule changes, gate changes,
etc. Do the airlines have to provide me with such information?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Yes. Part 382 requires carriers to provide
passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have vision
impairments with timely access to the same information that they provide
to other passengers in the airport terminal or on the aircraft. Persons
who are unable to obtain this information from the audio or visual
systems used by carriers may have to advise the carrier about the nature
of their disability, at which point the carrier must ensure that such
individuals receive the necessary information in an accessible manner.
\[Sec. 382.45\]

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: Can things other than wheelchairs or canes
be assistive devices? What exactly does part 382 mean when it refers to
assistive devices?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: Assistive devices under Part 382 are not
limited to mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. An
assistive device can be any piece of equipment that assists passengers
with a disability in carrying out a major life activity. Such devices
are those devices or equipment used to assist a passenger with a
disability in caring for himself or herself, performing manual tasks,
walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, or
performing other functions of daily life. Assistive devices may include
medical devices and medications.

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: How can I find out information on the number
and types of disability-related complaints filed with DOT against
specific airlines?

 

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division
publishes a monthly Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) which provides
information on the number of disability-related complaints received each
month *by DOT*. The ATCR can be accessed at
[http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov](http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/) In
addition, an amendment to DOT's disability rule (part 382) that came
into effect on August 7, 2003, requires U.S. and foreign airlines
operating passenger-carrying flights to and from the United States with
aircraft having a designed seating capacity of more than 60 seats to
report annually to DOT on the number and type of written
disability-related complaints that *they* receive. These individual
carrier reports will contain summary information on the number of such
complaints, the type of disability, and the nature of the complaint. The
first such report, which covers written complaints received by the
airlines during calendar year 2004, was due by January 25, 2005. DOT
intends to provide a summary report to Congress, which will be available
to the public. \[Section 382.70\] 

 

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**: I travel with a service animal and ask for a
bulkhead seat if one is available, as I find such a seat to be more
comfortable for my service dog. How come some passengers with service
animals avoid the bulkhead row?

 

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**: It is DOT's understanding that some service
animals are trained to curl up underneath a non-bulkhead row airline
seat, whereas other service animals are more comfortable in the area
between a bulkhead seat and the bulkhead wall itself. For this reason,
when DOT amended part 382 to require seating accommodations for
passengers traveling with service animals, it required carriers to
provide either a seat in a bulkhead row or a seat other than a bulkhead
seat, depending on the individual passenger's preference.

**[QUESTION]{.underline}**:  Are airlines allowed to require all
passengers who are both deaf and blind to travel with an attendant?

**[ANSWER]{.underline}**:  No. Airlines may not have a policy that
requires *all* passengers who are both deaf and blind to travel with an
attendant.  However, if an individual passenger has both a hearing and
vision impairment so severe that the individual cannot establish some
means of communicating with airline personnel sufficiently to receive
the preflight safety briefing (*e.g*., using the "printing on palm"
method of "writing" with your fingertip on the palm of the passenger's
hand, or using a "raised alphabet" card to communicate), an airline
could require that individual to travel with an attendant.  DOT
recognizes that in many situations carrier personnel may have difficulty
communicating with a passenger who is deaf and blind. Such
determinations must be made on a case-by-case basis using an
individualized assessment of the passenger's specific capabilities.

**APPENDIX IV**

**Recent Department of Transportation Enforcement Orders Related to
the**

**Air Carrier Access Act**

**Recent Department of Transportation Enforcement Orders Related to
the**

**Air Carrier Access Act**

The following list of orders pertains to administrative enforcement
actions conducted by or filed with the Aviation Enforcement and
Proceedings (AEP) Office of the Department of Transportation (DOT).
These administrative determinations by and large pertain to decisions
resulting from enforcement actions against air carriers pursuant to the
Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), 49 U.S.C. 41705, and its implementing
regulations, 14 CFR part 382, which prohibit discrimination by U.S. air
carriers against qualified individuals with disabilities. These orders
may be informative in assisting the reader to understand how the ACAA
and its implementing regulation have been interpreted by DOT and applied
in enforcement actions against air carriers.

The AEP Office's statutory jurisdiction spans a broad range of
regulatory legal issues including civil rights and consumer protection,
among others. The AEP issues many and varied types of orders within the
scope of its authority. The orders listed in this appendix address only
the most recent civil rights enforcement actions under the ACAA, going
back to March, 2000 and are not meant to be a complete listing of all
ACAA orders issued by the DOT through its AEP Office.

To access these orders, go to [www.dot.gov](http://www.dot.gov/). Click
on "Dockets and Regulations," then "Docket Management System," and then
on "Simple Search." Type in the last five digits of the docket number
pertaining to the order that you are interested in. Using the date the
order was issued and/or the order number, scroll through the docket
index to identify the order you wish to review and click on the
appropriate format in which you wish to retrieve the document.

  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
  **ISSUES**              **DATE OF       **ORDER \#**    **DOCKET \#**
                          ISSUE**                         

  Failure to provide      8/18/04         2004-8-19       OST- 2004-16943
  prompt and proper                                       
  enplaning, connecting,                                  
  and deplaning                                           
  assistance primarily to                                 
  passengers who have                                     
  mobility impairments                                    

  "Medically-prescribed   5/27/04         2004-5-25       OST- 2003-14808
  marijuana"                                              

  Failure to provide a    4/30/04         2004-4-22       OST- 2004-16943
  priority space to stow                                  
  at least one                                            
  passenger's folding                                     
  wheelchair in the cabin                                 

  Failure to provide a    3/9/04          2004-3-4        OST-2004-16493
  priority space to stow                                  
  at least one                                            
  passenger's folding                                     
  wheelchair in the cabin                                 

  Failure to provide      12/5/03         2003-12-6       OST-2003-14194
  prompt and proper                                       
  enplaning, connecting,                                  
  and deplaning                                           
  assistance primarily to                                 
  passengers who have                                     
  mobility impairments                                    

  Failure to provide a    11/13/03        2003-11-5       OST- 2003-14194
  priority space to stow                                  
  at least one                                            
  passenger's folding                                     
  wheelchair in the cabin                                 

  Failure to provide      11/10/03        2003-11-4       OST- 2003-16507
  prompt and proper                                       
  enplaning, connecting,                                  
  and deplaning                                           
  assistance primarily to                                 
  passengers who have                                     
  mobility impairments                                    

  Failure to provide a    10/8/03         2003-10-11      OST- 2003-14194
  priority space to stow                                  
  at least one                                            
  passenger's folding                                     
  wheelchair in the cabin                                 

  Failure to provide      9/8/03          2003-9-4        OST-2003-14194
  adequate transport,                                     
  enplaning, and                                          
  deplaning assistance,                                   
  wheelchair stowage and                                  
  damage                                                  

  Failure to provide a    8/28/03         2003-8-30       OST- 2003-14194
  priority space to stow                                  
  at least one                                            
  passenger's folding                                     
  wheelchair in the cabin                                 

  Failure to provide a    8/28/03         2003-8-29       OST- 2003-14194
  priority space to stow                                  
  at least one                                            
  passenger's folding                                     
  wheelchair in the cabin                                 

  Failure to provide a    8/28/03         2003-8-28       OST- 2003-14194
  priority space to stow                                  
  at least one                                            
  passenger's folding                                     
  wheelchair in the cabin                                 

  Prompt and proper       7/11/03         2003-7-12       OST- 2003-14194
  enplaning and deplaning                                 
  assistance                                              

  Prompt and proper       6/2/03          2003-6-3        OST- 2001-10598
  enplaning and deplaning                                 
  assistance                                              

  Prompt and proper       3/26/03         2003-3-19       OST- 2003-14194
  enplaning and deplaning                                 
  assistance                                              

  Prompt and proper       3/4/03          2003-3-1        OST- 2003-14194
  enplaning and deplaning                                 
  assistance                                              

  Special seating         3/19/02         2002-7-36       OST - 2001-8991
  accommodations for tall                                 
  people                                                  

  Adequate wheelchair     2/11/02         2002-3-15       OST-2002-10598
  assistance and other                                    
  required assistance                                     

  Refusal to transport a  8/2/01          2001-8-17       OST- 2001- 19598
  person with a                                           
  disability                                              

  Sensitivity to tobacco  3/12/01         2001-3-9        OST- 2000-7891
  smoke                                                   

  In-cabin wheelchair     2/7/2001        2001-2-6        OST-2000-7591
  stowage                                                 

  Refusal to transport a  8/22/00         2000-8-18       OST- 2000 --
  person with a                                           19597
  disability                                              

  Prompt and proper       3/27/00         2000-3-24       OST- 99-6111
  enplaning and deplaning                                 
  assistance; wheelchair                                  
  stowage                                                 
  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------

**APPENDIX V**

**14 CFR Part 382**

**Nondiscrimination on the basis**

**of Disability in Air Travel**

![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.3354166666666667in"
height="1.3368055555555556in"}

**U.S. Department of**

**Transportation**

**14 CFR Part 382**

**Nondiscrimination on the Basis**

**of Disability in Air Travel**

Includes amendments issued through July 2003 (e.g., includes the
amendment on reporting of disability-related consumer complaints)

TITLE 14 \-- AERONAUTICS AND SPACE

CHAPTER II \-- OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

***PART 382***

***NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN AIR TRAVEL***

**Subpart A---General Provisions**

382.1 Purpose.

383.3 Applicability.

382.5 Definitions.

382.7 General prohibition of discrimination.

382.9 Assurances from contractors.

**Subpart B---Requirements Concerning Facilities**

382.21 Aircraft accessibility.

382.23 Airport facilities.

**Subpart C---Requirements for Services**

382.31 Refusal of transportation.

382.33 Advance notice requirements.

382.35 Attendants.

382.37 Seat assignments.

382.38 Seating accommodations.

382.39 Provision of services and equipment.

382.40 Boarding assistance for small aircraft.

382.40a Boarding assistance for large aircraft

382.41 Stowage of personal equipment.

382.43 Treatment of mobility aids and assistive devices.

382.45 Passenger information.

382.47 Accommodations for persons with hearing impairments.

382.49 Security screening of passengers.

382.51 Communicable diseases.

382.53 Medical certificates.

382.55 Miscellaneous provisions.

382.57 Charges for accommodations prohibited.

**Subpart D---Administrative Provisions**

382.61 Training.

382.63 Carrier programs. [Authority]{.smallcaps}: 49 U.S.C. 41702,
47105, and 41712.

382.65 Compliance procedures. [Source]{.smallcaps}: 55 FR 8046, Mar. 6,
1990 and amendments.

382.70 Disability-related complaints received by carriers**.**

**SUBPART A \-- GENERAL PROVISIONS**

**§ 382.1 Purpose.**

The purpose of this part is to implement the Air Carrier Access Act of
1986 (49 U.S.C. 41705), which provides that no air carrier may
discriminate against any otherwise qualified individual with a
disability, by reason of such disability, in the provision of air
transportation.

**§ 382.3 Applicability.**

\(a\) Except as provided in this section, this part applies to all air
carriers providing air transportation.

\(b\) Sections 382.21-382.63 do not apply to indirect air carriers.

\(c\) Except for § 382.70, this part does not apply to foreign air
carriers or to airport facilities outside the United States, its
territories, possessions, and

commonwealths.

\(d\) Nothing in this part shall authorize or require a carrier to fail
to comply with any applicable FAA safety regulation.

\(e\) The compliance date for the following provisions of this part is
June 4, 1990:

§ 382.7 (b)

§ 382.21(c)

§ 382.31(e)

§ 382.33(f)

§ 382.35 (d), (e)

§ 382.37 (b), (c)

§ 382.39 (a) (second sentence of introductory language); (a)(1) and
(a)(2), with respect to acquisition of equipment; (a)(3); (b)(3); (b)(4)

§ 382.41 (d), (e)(2), (f)

§ 382.45 (a), (c)

§ 382.47(a)

§ 382.49 (b), (c)

§ 382.65 (a), (b)(2).

\(f\) The compliance date for the following provisions of this part is
August 5, 1990:

§ 382.9

§ 382.23(e)

§ 382.33(d)

§ 382.51

§ 382.53(c).

\(g\) The compliance date for the following provisions for this part is
October 5, 1990:

§ 382.35 (b)(2), (b)(3)

§ 382.41(g), with respect to the acceptance and stowage of batteries
requiring hazardous materials packaging, for carriers which, as of March
6, 1990, had a policy of carrying no hazardous materials.

**§ 382.5 Definitions.**

As used in this Part \--

*Air Carrier or carrier* means any citizen of the United States who
undertakes, whether directly or indirectly or by a lease or any other
arrangement, to engage in air transportation.

*Air carrier airport* means a public, commercial service airport which
enplanes annually 2,500 or more passengers and receives scheduled air
service.

*Air transportation* means interstate, overseas, or foreign air
transportation, or the transportation of mail by aircraft, as defined in
the Federal Aviation Act.

*Department or DOT* means the United States Department of
Transportation.

*FAA* means the Federal Aviation Administration, an operating
administration of the Department.

*Facility* means all or any portion of aircraft, buildings, structures,
equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, and any other real or personal
property, normally used by passengers or prospective passengers visiting
or using the airport, to the extent the carrier exercises control over
the selection, design, construction, or alteration of the property.

*Individual with a disability* means any individual who has a physical
or mental impairment that, on a permanent or temporary basis,
substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of
such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. As used
in this definition, the phrase:

\(a\) *Physical or mental impairment* means:

\(1\) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement,
or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems:
neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory
including speech organs, cardio-vascular, reproductive, digestive,
genito-urinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine; or

\(2\) any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation,
organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific
learning disabilities.

The term *physical or mental impairment* includes, but is not limited
to, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and
hearing impairments; cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy,
multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation,
emotional illness, drug addiction, and alcoholism.

\(b\) *Major life activities* means functions such as caring for one's
self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,
breathing, learning, and working.

\(c\) *Has a record of such impairment* means has a history of, or has
been classified, or misclassified, as having a mental or physical
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

\(d\) *Is regarded as having an impairment* means:

\(1\) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially
limit major life activities but that is treated by an air carrier as
constituting such a limitation;

\(2\) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a
major life activity only as a result of the attitudes of others toward
such an impairment; or

\(3\) Has none of the impairments set forth in this definition but is
treated by an air carrier as having such an impairment.

*Indirect air carrier* means a person not directly involved in the
operation of an aircraft who sells air transportation services to the
general public other than as an authorized agent of an air carrier.

*Qualified individual with a disability* means a individual with a
disability who \--

\(a\) With respect to accompanying or meeting a traveler, use of ground
transportation, using terminal facilities, or obtaining information
about schedules, fares or policies, takes those actions necessary to
avail himself or herself of facilities or services offered by an air
carrier to the general public, with reasonable accommodations, as
needed, provided by the carrier;

\(b\) With respect to obtaining a ticket for air transportation on an
air carrier, offers, or makes a good faith attempt to offer, to purchase
or otherwise validly to obtain such a ticket;

\(c\) With respect to obtaining air transportation, or other services or
accommodations required by this part:

\(1\) Purchases or possesses a valid ticket for air transportation on an
air carrier and presents himself or herself at the airport for the
purpose of traveling on the flight for which the ticket has been
purchased or obtained; and

\(2\) Meets reasonable, nondiscriminatory contract of carriage
requirements applicable to all passengers;

*Scheduled air service* means any flight scheduled in the current
edition of the Official Airline Guide, the carrier's published schedule,
or the computer reservation system used by the carrier.

**§ 382.7 General prohibition of discrimination.**

\(a\) A carrier shall not, directly or through contractual, licensing,
or other arrangements:

\(1\) Discriminate against any otherwise qualified individual with a
disability, by reason of such disability, in the provision of air
transportation;

\(2\) Require a person with a disability to accept special services
(including, but not limited to, preboarding) not requested by the
passenger;

\(3\) Exclude a qualified individual with a disability from or deny the
person the benefit of any air transportation or related services that
are available to other persons, even if there are separate or different
services available for persons with a disability except when
specifically permitted by another section of this part; or,

\(4\) Take any action adverse to an individual because of the
individual's assertion, on his or her own behalf or through or behalf of
others, of rights protected by this part or the Air Carrier Access Act.

\(b\) If an indirect air carrier provides facilities or services for
passengers that are covered for other carriers by sections
382.21-382.55, the indirect air carrier shall do so in a manner
consistent with those sections.

\(c\) Carriers shall, in addition to meeting the other requirements of
this part, modify policies, practices, or facilities as needed to ensure
nondiscrimination, consistent with the standards of section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, as amended. Carriers are not required to make
modifications that would constitute an undue burden or would
fundamentally alter their program.

**§ 382.9 Assurances from contractors.**

Carriers' contracts with contractors who provide services to passengers,
including carriers' agreements of appointment with travel agents
(excluding travel agents who are not U.S. citizens who provide services
to air carriers outside the United States, its territories and
commonwealths), shall include a clause assuring:

\(a\) Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, consistent with this
part, by such contractors in activities performed on behalf of the
carriers; and

\(b\) That contractor employers will comply with directives issued by
carrier complaints resolution officials (CROs) under § 382.65.

**§§ 382.11\--382.19 \[Reserved\]**

**SUBPART B \-- REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING FACILITIES**

**§ 382.21 Aircraft accessibility.**

\(a\) The following requirements apply to new aircraft operated under 14
CFR part 121 and ordered by the carrier after April 5, 1990 or delivered
to the carrier after April 5, 1992:

(1)(i) Aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats on which passenger aisle
seats have armrests shall have movable aisle armrests on at least
one-half of passenger aisle seats.

\(ii\) Such armrests are not required to be provided on aisle seats on
which a movable armrest is not feasible or aisle seats which a passenger
with a mobility impairment is precluded from using by an FAA safety
rule.

\(iii\) For aircraft equipped with movable aisle armrests as required by
this paragraph, carriers shall configure cabins, or establish
administrative systems, to ensure that individuals with mobility
impairments or other persons with disabilities can readily obtain
seating in rows with movable aisle armrests.

\(2\) Aircraft with 100 or more passenger seats shall have a priority
space in the cabin designated for stowage of at least one folding
wheelchair;

\(3\) Aircraft with more than one aisle in which lavatories are provided
shall include at least one accessible lavatory. This lavatory shall
permit a qualified individual with a disability to enter, maneuver
within as necessary to use all lavatory facilities, and leave, by means
of the aircraft's on-board wheelchair. The accessible lavatory shall
afford privacy to persons using the on-board wheelchair equivalent to
that afforded ambulatory users. The lavatory shall provide door locks,
accessible call buttons, grab bars, faucets and other controls, and
dispensers usable by qualified individuals with a disability, including
wheelchair users and persons with manual impairments;

(4)(i) Aircraft with more than 60 passenger seats having an accessible
lavatory, whether or not required to have such a lavatory by paragraph
(a)(3) of this section, shall be equipped with an operable on-board
wheelchair for the use of passengers.

\(ii\) The carrier shall ensure that an operable on-board wheelchair is
provided for a flight using an aircraft with more than 60 passenger
seats on the request (with advance notice as provided in § 382.33(b)(8))
of a qualified individual with a disability who represents to the
carrier that he or she is able to use an inaccessible lavatory but is
unable to reach the lavatory from a seat without the use of an on-board
wheelchair.[^6]

\(iii\) On-board wheelchairs shall include footrests, armrests which are
movable or removable, adequate occupant restraint systems, a backrest
height that permits assistance to passengers in transferring,
structurally sound handles for maneuvering the occupied chair, and wheel
locks or another adequate means to prevent chair movement during
transfer or turbulence. The chair shall be designed to be compatible
with the maneuvering space, aisle width, and seat height of the aircraft
on which it is to be used, and to be easily pushed, pulled, and turned
in the cabin environment by carrier personnel.

(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, aircraft
in service on the effective date of this part (April 5, 1990) shall not
be required to be retrofitted for the sole purpose of enhancing
accessibility.

\(2\) No later than April 5, 1992, each carrier shall comply with the
provisions of paragraph (a)(4) of this section with respect to all
aircraft with more than 60 passenger seats operated under 14 CFR part
121.

\(c\) Whenever an aircraft operated under 14 CFR part 121 which does not
have the accessibility features set forth in paragraph (a) of this
section undergoes replacement of cabin interior elements or lavatories,
or the replacement of existing seats with newly manufactured seats, the
carrier shall meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section
with respect to the affected feature(s) of the aircraft.

\(d\) Aircraft operated under 14 CFR part 121 with fewer than 30
passenger seats (with respect to the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of
this section), fewer than 100 passenger seats (with respect to the
requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section) or 60 or fewer
passenger seats (with respect to the requirements of paragraph (a)(4) of
this section), and aircraft operated under 14 CFR part 135, shall comply
with the requirements of this section to the extent not inconsistent
with structural, weight and balance, operational and interior
configuration limitations.

\(e\) Any replacement or refurbishing of the aircraft cabin shall not
reduce existing accessibility to a level below that specified in this
part.

\(f\) Carriers shall maintain aircraft accessibility features in proper
working order.

**§ 382.23 Airport facilities.**

\(a\) This section applies to all terminal facilities and services
owned, leased, or operated on any basis by an air carrier at a
commercial service airport, including parking and ground transportation
facilities.

\(b\) Air carriers shall ensure that the terminal facilities and
services subject to this section shall be readily accessible to and
usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use
wheelchairs. Air carriers shall be deemed to comply with this Air
Carrier Access Act obligation if they meet requirements applying to
places of public accommodation under Department of Justice (DOJ)
regulations implementing Title III of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA).

\(c\) The carrier shall ensure that there is an accessible path between
the gate and the area from which aircraft are boarded.

\(d\) Systems of inter-terminal transportation, including, but not
limited to, shuttle vehicles and people movers, shall comply with
applicable requirements of the Department of Transportation's ADA rule.

\(e\) The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines
(ADAAGs), including section 10.4 concerning airport facilities, shall be
the standard for accessibility under this section.

\(f\) Contracts or leases between carriers and airport operators
concerning the use of airport facilities shall set forth the respective
responsibilities of the parties for the provision of accessible
facilities and services to individuals with disabilities as required by
this part for carriers and applicable section 504 and ADA rules of the
Department of Transportation and Department of Justice for airport
operators.

\[Amdt. 6, 61 FR 56423, Nov. 1, 1996\]

**§§ 382.25\--382.29 \[Reserved\]**

**SUBPART C \-- REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING SERVICES**

**§ 382.31 Refusal of transportation.**

\(a\) Unless specifically permitted by a provision of this part, a
carrier shall not refuse to provide transportation to a qualified
individual with a disability on the basis of his or her disability.

\(b\) A carrier shall not refuse to provide transportation to a
qualified individual with a disability solely because the person's
disability results in appearance or involuntary behavior that may
offend, annoy, or inconvenience crewmembers or other passengers.

\(c\) A carrier shall not refuse to provide transportation to qualified
individuals with a disability by limiting the number of such persons who
are permitted to travel on a given flight.

\(d\) Carrier personnel, as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 44902, 14 CFR 91.8,
or 14 CFR 121.533, may refuse to provide transportation to any passenger
on the basis of safety, and may refuse to provide transportation to any
passenger whose carriage would violate the Federal Aviation Regulations.
In exercising this authority, carrier personnel shall not discriminate
against any qualified individual with a disability on the basis of
disability and their actions shall not be inconsistent with the
provisions of this Part. In the event that such action is inconsistent
with the provisions of this Part, the carrier shall be subject to
remedies provided under § 382.65.

\(e\) When a carrier refuses to provide transportation to any person on
a basis relating to the individual's disability, the carrier shall
specify in writing to the person the basis for the refusal, including,
where applicable, the reasonable and specific basis for the carrier's
opinion that transporting the person would or might be inimical to the
safety of the flight. This written explanation shall be provided within
10 calendar days of the refusal of transportation.

**§ 382.33 Advance notice requirements.**

\(a\) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a carrier
shall not require a qualified individual with a disability to provide
advance notice of his or her intention to travel or of his or her
disability as a condition of receiving transportation or of receiving
services or accommodations required by this part.

\(b\) A carrier may require up to 48 hours advance notice and one-hour
advance check-in concerning a qualified individual with a disability who
wishes to receive any of the following services, types of equipment, or
accommodations:

\(1\) Medical oxygen for use on board the aircraft, if this service is
available on the flight;

\(2\) Carriage of an incubator, if this service is available on the
flight;

\(3\) Hook-up for a respirator to the aircraft electrical power supply,
if this service is available on the flight;

\(4\) Accommodation for a passenger who must travel in a stretcher, if
this service is available on the flight;

\(5\) Transportation for an electric wheelchair on a flight scheduled to
be made with an aircraft with fewer than 60 seats;

\(6\) Provision by the carrier of hazardous materials packaging for a
battery for a wheelchair or other assistive device;

\(7\) Accommodation for a group of ten or more qualified individuals
with a disability, who make reservations and travel as a group; and

\(8\) Provision of an on-board wheelchair on an aircraft that does not
have an accessible lavatory.

\(c\) If a passenger does not meet advance notice or check-in
requirements established by a carrier consistent with this section, the
carrier shall nonetheless provide the service, equipment, or
accommodation if it can do so by making a reasonable effort, without
delaying the flight.

\(d\) Carriers' reservation and other administrative systems shall
ensure that when advance notice is provided by qualified individuals
with a disability as provided by this section, the notice is recorded
and properly transmitted to operating employees responsible for
providing the accommodation concerning which notice was provided.

\(e\) If the qualified individual with a disability provides the notice
required by the carrier for a service under paragraph (b) of this
section, the carrier shall ensure that the requested service is
provided.

\(f\) If a qualified individual with a disability provides advance
notice to a carrier, and the individual is forced to change to the
flight of a different carrier because of the cancellation of the
original flight or the substitution of inaccessible equipment, the first
carrier shall, to the maximum extent feasible, provide assistance to the
second carrier in providing the accommodation requested by the
individual from the first carrier.

**§ 382.35 Attendants.**

\(a\) Except as provided in this section, a carrier shall not require
that a qualified individual with a disability travel with an attendant
as a condition of being provided air transportation. A concern on the
part of carrier personnel that a individual with a disability may need
to use inaccessible lavatory facilities or may otherwise need extensive
special assistance for personal needs which carrier personnel are not
obligated to provide is not a basis on which the carrier may require an
attendant.

\(b\) A carrier may require that a qualified individual with a
disability meeting any of the following criteria travel with an
attendant as a condition of being provided air transportation, if the
carrier determines that an attendant is essential for safety:

\(1\) A person traveling in a stretcher or incubator. The attendant for
such a person must be capable of attending to the passenger's in-flight
medical needs;

\(2\) A person who, because of a mental disability, is unable to
comprehend or respond appropriately to safety instructions from carrier
personnel, including the safety briefing required by 14 CFR 121.571 (a)
(3) and (a)(4) or 14 CFR 135.117(b);

\(3\) A person with a mobility impairment so severe that the person is
unable to assist in his or her own evacuation of the aircraft;

\(4\) A person who has both severe hearing and severe vision
impairments, if the person cannot establish some means of communication
with carrier personnel, adequate to permit transmission of the safety
briefing required by 14 CFR 121.571(a)(3) and (a)(4) or 14 CFR
135.117(b).

\(c\) If the carrier determines that a person meeting the criteria of
paragraph (b)(2), (b)(3) or (b)(4) of this section must travel with an
attendant, contrary to the individual's self-assessment that he or she
is capable of traveling independently, the carrier shall not charge for
the transportation of the attendant.

\(d\) If, because there is not a seat available on a flight for an
attendant whom the carrier has determined to be necessary, a person with
a disability who has a confirmed reservation is unable to travel on the
flight, the person with a disability shall be eligible for denied
boarding compensation under 14 CFR part 250.

\(e\) For purposes of determining whether a seat is available for an
attendant, the attendant shall be deemed to have checked in at the same
time as the person with a disability.

**§ 382.37 Seat assignments.**

\(a\) Carriers shall not exclude any qualified individual with a
disability from any seat in an exit row or other location or require
that a qualified individual with a disability sit in any particular
seat, on the basis of disability, except in order to comply with the
requirements of an FAA safety regulation or as provided in this section.

\(b\) If a person's disability results in involuntary active behavior
that would result in the person properly being refused transportation
under § 382.31, and the safety problem could be mitigated to a degree
that would permit the person to be transported consistent with safety if
the person is seated in a particular location, the carrier shall offer
the person that particular seat location as an alternative to being
refused transportation.

\(c\) If a service animal cannot be accommodated at the seat location of
the qualified individual with a disability whom the animal is
accompanying (see § 382.55(a)(2)), the carrier shall offer the passenger
the opportunity to move with the animal to a seat location, if present
on the aircraft, where the animal can be accommodated, as an alternative
to requiring that the animal travel with checked baggage.

**§ 382.38 Seating accommodations.**

\(a\) On request of an individual who self-identifies to a carrier as
having a disability specified in this paragraph, the carrier shall
provide the following seating accommodations, subject to the provisions
of this section:

\(1\) For a passenger who uses an aisle chair to access the aircraft and
who cannot readily transfer over a fixed aisle armrest, the carrier
shall provide a seat in a row with a movable aisle armrest.

\(2\) The carrier shall provide a seat next to a passenger traveling
with a disability for a person assisting the individual in the following
circumstances:

\(i\) When an individual with a disability is traveling with a personal
care attendant who will be performing a function for the individual
during the flight that airline personnel are not required to perform
(e.g., assistance with eating);

\(ii\) When an individual with a vision impairment is traveling with a
reader/assistant who will be performing functions for the individual
during the flight; or

\(iii\) When an individual with a hearing impairment is traveling with
an interpreter who will be performing functions for the individual
during the flight.

\(3\) For an individual traveling with a service animal, the carrier
shall provide, as the individual requests, either a bulkhead seat or a
seat other than a bulkhead seat.

\(4\) For a person with a fused or immobilized leg, the carrier shall
provide a bulkhead seat or other seat that provides greater legroom than
other seats, on the side of an aisle that better accommodates the
individual's disability.

\(b\) A carrier that provides advance seat assignments shall comply with
the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section by any of the
following methods:

\(1\) The carrier may "block" an adequate number of the seats used to
provide the seating accommodations required by this section.

\(i\) The carrier shall not assign these seats to passengers not needing
seating accommodations provided under this paragraph until 24 hours
before the scheduled departure of the flight.

\(ii\) At any time up until 24 hours before the scheduled departure of
the flight, the carrier shall assign a seat meeting the requirements of
this section to an individual who requests it.

\(iii\) If an individual with a disability does not make a request at
least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight, the carrier
shall meet the individual's request to the extent practicable, but is
not required to reassign a seat assigned to another passenger in order
to do so.

\(2\) The carrier may designate an adequate number of the seats used to
provide seating accommodations required by this section as "priority
seats" for individuals with disabilities.

\(i\) The carrier shall provide notice that all passengers assigned
these seats (other than passengers with disabilities listed in paragraph
(a) of this section) are subject to being reassigned to another seat if
necessary to provide a seating accommodation required by this section.
The carrier may provide this notice through its computer reservation
system, verbal information provided by reservation personnel, ticket
notices, gate announcements, counter signs, seat cards or notices,
frequent-flier literature, or other appropriate means.

\(ii\) The carrier shall assign a seat meeting the requirements of this
section to an individual who requests the accommodation and checks in at
least one hour before the scheduled departure of the flight. If all
designated priority seats that would accommodate the individual have
been assigned to other passengers, the carrier shall reassign the seats
of the other passengers as needed to provide the requested
accommodation.

\(iii\) If the individual with a disability does not check in at least
an hour before the scheduled departure of the flight, the carrier shall
meet the individual's request to the extent practicable, but is not
required to reassign a seat assigned to another passenger in order to do
so.

\(c\) On request of an individual who self-identifies to a carrier as
having a disability other than one in the four categories listed in
paragraph (a) of this section and as needing a seat assignment
accommodation in order to readily access and use the carrier's air
transportation services, a carrier that assigns seats in advance shall
provide such an accommodation, as described in this paragraph.

\(1\) A carrier that complies with paragraph (a) of this section through
the "seat-blocking" mechanism of paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall
implement the requirements of this paragraph as follows:

\(i\) When the passenger with a disability not described in paragraph
(a) of this section makes a reservation more than 24 hours before the
scheduled departure time of the flight, the carrier is not required to
offer the passenger one of the seats blocked for the use of passengers
with disabilities listed under paragraph (a) of this section.

\(ii\) However, the carrier shall assign to the passenger any seat, not
already assigned to another passenger, that accommodates the passenger's
needs, even if that seat is not available for assignment to the general
passenger population at the time of the request.

\(2\) A carrier that complies with this section through the "designated
priority seats" mechanism of paragraph (b)(2) of this section shall
implement the requirements of this paragraph as follows:

\(i\) When a passenger with a disability not described in paragraph (a)
of this section makes a reservation, the carrier shall assign to the
passenger any seat, not already assigned to another passenger, that
accommodates the passenger's needs, even if that seat is not available
for assignment to the general passenger population at the time of the
request.

\(ii\) If such a passenger is assigned to a designated priority seat, he
or she is subject to being reassigned to another seat as provided in
paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

\(d\) A carrier that does not provide advance seat assignments shall
provide seating accommodations for persons described in paragraphs (a)
and (c) of this section by allowing them to board the aircraft before
other passengers, including other "pre-boarded" passengers, so that the
individuals needing seating accommodations can select seats that best
meet their needs if they have taken advantage of the opportunity to
pre-board.

\(e\) A carrier may comply with the requirements of this section through
an alternative method not specified in paragraphs (b) through (d) of
this section. A carrier wishing to do so shall obtain the written
concurrence of the Department of Transportation (Office of the
Secretary) before implementing the alternative method.

\(f\) The carrier shall assign a seat providing an accommodation
requested by an individual with a disability, as specified in this
section, even if the seat is not otherwise available for assignment to
the general passenger population at the time of the individual's
request.

\(g\) If the carrier has already provided a seat to an individual with a
disability to furnish an accommodation required by paragraph (a) or (c)
of this section, the carrier shall not reassign that individual to
another seat in response to a subsequent request from another individual
with a disability, without the first individual's consent.

\(h\) In no case shall any individual be denied transportation on a
flight in order to provide accommodations required by this section.

\(i\) Carriers are not required to furnish more than one seat per ticket
or to provide a seat in a class of service other than the one the
passenger has purchased.

\(j\) In responding to requests from individuals for accommodations
required by this section, carriers shall comply with FAA safety rules,
including those pertaining to exit seating (see 14 CFR 121.585 and
135.129).

\(k\) Carriers are required to comply with this section beginning
September 30, 1998.

**§ 382.39 Provision of services and equipment.**

Carriers shall ensure that qualified individuals with a disability are
provided the following services and equipment:

\(a\) Carriers shall provide assistance requested by or on behalf of
qualified individuals with a disability, or offered by air carrier
personnel and accepted by qualified individuals with a disability, in
enplaning and deplaning. The delivering carrier shall be responsible for
assistance in making flight connections and transportation between
gates.

\(1\) This assistance shall include, as needed, the services personnel
and the use of ground wheelchairs, boarding wheelchairs, on-board
wheelchairs where provided in accordance with this part, and ramps or
mechanical lifts.

\(2\) Boarding shall be by level-entry loading bridges or accessible
passenger lounges, where these means are available. Where these means
are unavailable, assistance in boarding aircraft with 30 or fewer
passenger seats shall be provided as set forth in Sec. 382.40, and
assistance in boarding aircraft with 31 or more seats shall be provided
as set forth in Sec. 382.40a. In no case shall carrier personnel
hand-carry a passenger in order to provide boarding or deplaning
assistance (i.e., directly pick up the passenger\'s body in the arms of
one or more carrier personnel to effect a change of level that the
passenger needs to enter or leave the aircraft). Hand-carrying of
passengers is permitted only for emergency evacuations.

\(3\) Carriers shall not leave a passenger with a disability unattended
in a ground wheelchair, boarding wheelchair, or other device, in which
the passenger is not independently mobile, for more than 30 minutes.

\(b\) Carriers shall provide services within the aircraft cabin as
requested by or on behalf of individuals with a disability, or when
offered by air carrier personnel and accepted by individuals with a
disability as follows:

\(1\) Assistance in moving to and from seats, as part of the enplaning
and deplaning processes;

\(2\) Assistance in preparation for eating, such as opening packages and
identifying food;

\(3\) If there is an on-board wheelchair on the aircraft, assistance
with the use of the on-board wheelchair to enable the person to move to
and from a lavatory;

\(4\) Assistance to a semiambulatory person in moving to and from the
lavatory, not involving lifting or carrying the person; or

\(5\) Assistance in loading and retrieving carry-on items, including
mobility aids and other assistive devices stowed on board in accordance
with § 382.41.

\(c\) Carriers are not required to provide extensive special assistance
to qualified individuals with a disability. For purposes of this
section, extensive special assistance includes the following activities:

\(1\) Assistance in actual eating;

\(2\) Assistance within the restroom or assistance at the passenger's
seat with elimination functions;

\(3\) Provision of medical services.

**§ 382.40 Boarding assistance for small aircraft.**

\(a\) Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section apply to air carriers
conducting passenger operations with aircraft having 19-30 seat capacity
at airports with 10,000 or more annual enplanements.

\(b\) Carriers shall, in cooperation with the airports they serve,
provide boarding assistance to individuals with disabilities using
mechanical lifts, ramps, or other suitable devices that do not require
employees to lift or carry passengers up stairs.

\(c\) (1) Each carrier shall negotiate in good faith with the airport
operator at each airport concerning the acquisition and use of boarding
assistance devices. The carrier(s) and the airport operator shall, by no
later than September 2, 1997, sign a written agreement allocating
responsibility for meeting the boarding assistance requirements of this
section between or among the parties. The agreement shall be made
available, on request, to representatives of the Department of
Transportation.

\(2\) The agreement shall provide that all actions necessary to ensure
accessible boarding for passengers with disabilities are completed as
soon as practicable, but no later than December 2, 1998 at large and
medium commercial service hub airports (those with 1,200,000 or more
annual enplanements); December 2, 1999 for small commercial service hub
airports (those with between 250,000 and 1,199,999 annual enplanements);
or December 4, 2000 for non-hub commercial service primary airports
(those with between 10,000 and 249,999 annual enplanements). All air
carriers and airport operators involved are jointly responsible for the
timely and complete implementation of the agreement.

\(3\) Under the agreement, carriers may require that passengers wishing
to receive boarding assistance requiring the use of a lift for a flight
using a 19-30 seat aircraft check in for the flight one hour before the
scheduled departure time for the flight. If the passenger checks in
after this time, the carrier shall nonetheless provide the boarding
assistance by lift if it can do so by making a reasonable effort,
without delaying the flight.

\(4\) Boarding assistance under the agreement is not required in the
following situations:

\(i\) Access to aircraft with a capacity of fewer than 19 or more than
30 seats;

\(ii\) Access to float planes;

\(iii\) Access to the following 19-seat capacity aircraft models: the
Fairchild Metro, the Jetstream 31, and the Beech 1900 (C and D models);

\(iv\) Access to any other 19-seat aircraft model determined by the
Department of Transportation to be unsuitable for boarding assistance by
lift on the basis of a significant risk of serious damage to the
aircraft or the presence of internal barriers that preclude passengers
who use a boarding or aisle chair to reach a non-exit row seat.

\(5\) When boarding assistance is not required to be provided under
paragraph (c)(4) of this section, or cannot be provided as required by
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section for reasons beyond the control of
the parties to the agreement (e.g., because of mechanical problems with
a lift), boarding assistance shall be provided by any available means to
which the passenger consents, except hand-carrying as defined in
§ 382.39(a)(2) of this part.

\(6\) The agreement shall ensure that all lifts and other accessibility
equipment are maintained in proper working condition.

(d)(1) The training of carrier personnel required by § 382.61 shall
include, for those personnel involved in providing boarding assistance,
training to proficiency in the use of the boarding assistance equipment
used by the carrier and appropriate boarding assistance procedures that
safeguard the safety and dignity of passengers.

\(2\) Carriers who do not operate aircraft with more than a 19-seat
capacity shall ensure that those personnel involved in providing
boarding assistance are trained to proficiency in the use of the
boarding assistance equipment used by the carrier and appropriate
boarding assistance procedures that safeguard the safety and dignity of
passengers.

\[Amdt. 6, 61 FR 56423, Nov. 1, 1996\]

**§ 382.40a Boarding assistance for large aircraft.**

\(a\) Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section apply to air carriers
conducting passenger operations with aircraft having a seating capacity
of 31 or more passengers at airports with 10,000 or more annual
enplanements, in any situation where passengers are not boarded by
level-entry loading bridges or accessible passenger lounges.

\(b\) Carriers shall, in cooperation with the airports they serve,
provide boarding assistance to individuals with disabilities using
mechanical lifts, ramps, or other suitable devices that do not require
employees to lift or carry passengers up stairs.

\(c\) (1) Each carrier that does not provide passenger boarding by
level-entry loading bridges or accessible passenger lounges shall
negotiate in good faith with the airport operator at each airport
concerning the acquisition and use of boarding assistance devices. The
carrier(s) and the airport operator shall, by no later than March 4,
2002, sign a written agreement allocating responsibility for meeting the
boarding assistance requirements of this section between or among the
parties. The agreement shall be made available, on request, to
representatives of the Department of Transportation.

\(2\) The agreement shall provide that all actions necessary to ensure
accessible boarding for passengers with disabilities are completed as
soon as practicable, but no later than December 4, 2002. All air
carriers and airport operators involved are jointly responsible for the
timely and complete implementation of the agreement.

\(3\) Under the agreement, carriers may require that passengers wishing
to receive boarding assistance requiring the use of a lift for a flight
check in for the flight one hour before the scheduled departure time for
the flight. If the passenger checks in after this time, the carrier
shall nonetheless provide the boarding assistance by lift if it can do
so by making a reasonable effort, without delaying

the flight.

\(4\) Level-entry boarding assistance under the agreement is not
required with respect to float planes or with respect to any widebody
aircraft determined by the Department of Transportation to be unsuitable
for boarding assistance by lift, ramp, or other device on the basis that
no existing boarding assistance device on the market will accommodate
the aircraft without a significant risk of serious damage to the
aircraft or injury to passengers or employees.

\(5\) When level-entry boarding assistance is not required to be
provided under paragraph (c)(4) of this section, or cannot be provided
as required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section (e.g., because of
mechanical problems with a lift), boarding assistance shall be provided
by any available means to which the passenger consents, except
hand-carrying as defined in Sec. 382.39 (a)(2).

\(6\) The agreement shall ensure that all lifts and other accessibility
equipment are maintained in proper working condition.

\(d\) The training of carrier personnel required by Sec. 382.61 shall
include, for those personnel involved in providing boarding assistance,
training to proficiency in the use of the boarding assistance equipment
used by the carrier and appropriate boarding assistance procedures that
safeguard the safety and dignity of passengers.

**§ 382.41 Stowage of personal equipment.**

\(a\) All stowage of qualified individuals with a disability wheelchairs
and other equipment covered by this Part in aircraft cabins shall be in
accordance with 14 CFR 121.589 and 14 CFR 121.285(c) or 14 CFR 135.87,
as applicable.

\(b\) Carriers shall permit qualified individuals with a disability
using personal ventilators/respirators to bring their equipment,
including non-spillable batteries that meet the requirements of 49 CFR
173.159(d) and any applicable FAA safety regulations, on board the
aircraft and use it.

\(c\) Carriers shall permit qualified individuals with a disability to
stow canes and other assistive devices on board the aircraft in close
proximity to their seats, consistent with the requirements of FAA safety
regulations for carry-on items.

\(d\) Carriers shall not, in implementing their carry-on baggage
policies, count toward a limit on carry-on items any assistive device
brought into the cabin by a qualified individual with a disability.

\(e\) Carriers shall provide for on-board stowage of passengers'
wheelchairs (including collapsible or break-down battery-powered
wheelchairs, subject to the provisions of paragraph (g)(5) of this
section) as carry-on baggage as follows:

\(1\) Carriers shall permit the stowage of wheelchairs or components of
wheelchairs in overhead compartments and under seats, consistent with
the requirements of FAA safety regulations for carry-on items.

\(2\) In an aircraft in which a closet or other approved stowage area is
provided in the cabin for passengers' carry-on items, of a size that
will accommodate a folding, collapsible, or break-down wheelchair, the
carrier shall designate priority stowage space, as described below, for
at least one folding, collapsible, or break-down wheelchair in that
area. A individual with a disability who takes advantage of a carrier
offer of the opportunity to pre-board the aircraft may stow his or her
wheelchair in this area, with priority over the carry-on items brought
onto the aircraft by other passengers enplaning at the same airport. A
individual with a disability who does not take advantage of a carrier
offer of the opportunity to preboard may use the area to stow his or her
wheelchair on a first-come, first-served basis along with all other
passengers seeking to stow carry-on items in the area.

\(3\) If an approved stowage area in the cabin is not available for a
folding, collapsible, or break-down wheelchair, the wheelchair shall be
stowed in the cargo compartment.

\(f\) When a folding, collapsible, or break-down wheelchair cannot be
stowed in the passenger cabin as carry-on baggage, carriers shall
provide for the checking and timely return of passengers' wheelchairs
and other assistive devices as close as possible to the door of the
aircraft, so that passengers may use their own equipment to the extent
possible, except where this practice would be inconsistent with DOT
regulations governing the transportation of hazardous materials.

\(1\) At the request of the passenger, the carrier may return
wheelchairs or other assistive devices to the passenger at the baggage
claim area instead of at the door of the aircraft.

\(2\) In order to achieve the timely return of wheelchairs, passengers'
wheelchairs and other assistive devices shall be among the first items
retrieved from the baggage compartment.

\(3\) Wheelchairs and other assistive devices shall be stowed in the
baggage compartment with priority over other cargo and baggage. Where
this priority results in passengers' baggage being unable to be carried
on the flight, the carrier shall make its best efforts to ensure that
the other baggage reaches the passengers' destination within four hours
of the scheduled arrival time of the flight.

\(g\) Whenever baggage compartment size and aircraft airworthiness
considerations do not prohibit doing so, carriers shall accept a
passenger's battery-powered wheelchair, including the battery, as
checked baggage, consistent with the requirements of 49 CFR
175.10(a)(19) and (20) and the provisions of paragraph (f) of this
section.

\(1\) Carriers may require that qualified individuals with a disability
wishing to have battery-powered wheelchairs transported on a flight
(including in the cabin) check in one hour before the scheduled
departure time of the flight. If such an individual checks in after this
time, the carrier shall nonetheless carry the wheelchair if it can do so
by making a reasonable effort, without delaying the flight.

\(2\) If the battery on the individual's wheelchair has been labeled by
the manufacturer as non-spillable as provided in 49 CFR 173.159(d)(2),
or if a battery-powered wheelchair with a spillable battery is loaded,
stored, secured and unloaded in an upright position, the carrier shall
not require the battery to be removed and separately packaged.
Notwithstanding this requirement, carriers may remove and package
separately any battery that appears to be damaged or leaking.[^7].

\(3\) When it is necessary to detach the battery from the wheelchair,
carriers shall, upon request, provide packaging for the battery meeting
the requirements of 49 CFR 175.10(a)(19) and (20) and package the
battery. Carriers may refuse to use packaging materials or devices other
than those they normally use for this purpose.

\(4\) Carriers shall not drain batteries.

\(5\) At the request of a passenger, a carrier shall stow a folding,
break-down or collapsible battery-powered wheelchair in the passenger
cabin stowage area as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. If the
wheelchair can be stowed in the cabin without removing the battery, the
carrier shall not remove the battery. If the wheelchair cannot be stowed
in the cabin without removing the battery, the carrier shall remove the
battery and stow it in the baggage compartment as provided in paragraph
(g)(3) of this section. In this case, the carrier shall permit the
wheelchair, with battery removed, to be stowed in the cabin.

\(h\) Individuals with disabilities shall be permitted to provide
written directions concerning the disassembly and reassembly of their
wheelchairs.

**§ 382.43 Treatment of mobility aids and assistive devices.**

\(a\) When wheelchairs or other assistive devices are disassembled by
the carrier for stowage, the carrier shall reassemble them and ensure
their prompt return to the individual with a disability. Wheelchairs and
other assistive devices shall be returned to the passenger in the
condition received by the carrier.

\(b\) With respect to domestic transportation, the baggage liability
limits of 14 CFR part 254 do not apply to liability for loss, damage, or
delay concerning wheelchairs or other assistive devices. The criterion
for calculating the compensation for a lost, damaged, or destroyed
wheelchair or other assistive device shall be the original purchase
price of the device.

\(c\) Carriers shall not require qualified individuals with a disability
to sign waivers of liability for damage to or loss of wheelchairs or
other assistive devices.

**§ 382.45 Passenger information.**

\(a\) A carrier shall make available, on request, the following
information concerning facilities and services related to the provision
of air transportation to qualified individuals with a disability. This
information shall pertain to the type of aircraft and, where feasible,
the specific aircraft scheduled for a specific flight:

\(1\) The location of seats, if any, with movable armrests and any seats
which the carrier, consistent with this part, does not make available to
qualified individuals with a disability;

\(2\) Any limitations on the ability of the aircraft to accommodate
qualified individuals with disabilities, including limitations on the
availability of boarding assistance to the aircraft, with respect to the
departure and destination points and any intermediate stops. The carrier
shall provide this information to any passenger who states that he or
she uses a wheelchair for boarding, even if the passenger does not
explicitly request the information.

\(3\) Any limitations on the availability of storage facilities, in the
cabin or in the cargo bay, for mobility aids or other equipment commonly
used by persons with a disability;

\(4\) Whether the aircraft has an accessible lavatory.

\(b\) The following provisions govern the provision of individual safety
briefings to qualified individuals with a disability:

\(1\) Individual safety briefings shall be conducted for any passenger
where required by 14 CFR 121.571 (a)(3) and (a)(4) or 14 CFR 135.117(b);

\(2\) Carrier personnel may offer an individual briefing to any other
passenger;

\(3\) Individual safety briefings for qualified individuals with a
disability shall be conducted as inconspicuously and discreetly as
possible;

\(4\) Carrier personnel shall not require any qualified individual with
a disability to demonstrate that he or she has listened to, read, or
understood the information presented, except to the extent that carrier
personnel impose such a requirement on all passengers with respect to
the general safety briefing, and shall not take any action adverse to a
qualified individual with a disability on the basis that the person has
not "accepted" the briefing.

\(c\) Each carrier shall ensure that qualified individuals with a
disability, including those with vision or hearing impairments, have
timely access to information the carrier provides to other passengers in
the terminal or on the aircraft (to the extent that it does not
interfere with crewmembers' safety duties as set forth in FAA
regulations) including, but not limited to, information concerning
ticketing, flight delays, schedule changes, connections, flight
check-in, gate assignments, and the checking and claiming of luggage;
Provided, That persons who are unable to obtain such information from
the audio or visual systems used by carriers in airports or on aircraft
shall request the information from carrier personnel. Carriers shall
also provide information on aircraft changes that will affect the travel
of persons with a disability.

\(d\) Carriers shall have, at each airport they use, a copy of this part
and shall make it available for review by persons with a disability on
request.

\[Amdt. 6, 61 FR 56423, Nov. 1, 1996\]

**§ 382.47 Accommodations for persons with hearing impairments.**

\(a\) Each carrier providing scheduled air service, or charter service
under section 401 of the Federal Aviation Act, and which makes available
telephone reservation and information service available to the public
shall make available a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD)
service to enable persons with hearing impairments to make reservations
and obtain information. The TDD service shall be available during the
same hours as the telephone service for the general public and the
response time for answering calls shall be equivalent. Users of the TDD
service shall not be subject to charges for a call that exceed those
applicable to other users of the telephone information and reservation
service.

\(b\) In aircraft in which safety briefings are presented to passengers
on video screens, the carrier shall ensure that the video presentation
is accessible to persons with hearing impairments.

\(1\) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the
carrier shall implement this requirement by using open captioning or an
inset for a sign language interpreter as part of the video presentation.

\(2\) A carrier may use an equivalent non-video alternative to this
requirement only if neither open captioning nor a sign language
interpreter inset could be placed in the video presentation without so
interfering with it as to render it ineffective or would be large enough
to be readable.

\(3\) Carriers shall implement the requirements of this section by
substituting captioned video materials for uncaptioned video materials
as the uncaptioned materials are replaced in the normal course of the
carrier's operations.

**§ 382.49 Security screening of passengers.**

\(a\) Qualified individuals with a disability shall undergo security
screening in the same manner, and be subject to the same security
requirements, as other passengers. Possession by a qualified individual
with a disability of an aid used for independent travel shall not
subject the person or the aid to special screening procedures if the
person using the aid clears the security system without activating it.
Provided, That this paragraph shall not prohibit security personnel from
examining a mobility aid or assistive device which, in their judgment,
may conceal a weapon or other prohibited item. Security searches of
qualified individuals with a disability whose aids activate the security
system shall be conducted in the same manner as for other passengers.
Private security screenings shall not be required for qualified
individuals with a disability to a greater extent, or for any different
reason, than for other passengers.

\(b\) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, if a
qualified individual with a disability requests a private screening in a
timely manner, the carrier shall provide it in time for the passenger to
enplane.

\(c\) If a carrier employs technology that can conduct an appropriate
screening of a passenger with a disability without necessitating a
physical search of the person, the carrier is not required to provide a
private screening.

**§ 382.51 Communicable diseases.**

\(a\) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a carrier
shall not take any of the following actions, with respect to a person
who is otherwise a qualified individual with a disability, on the basis
that the individual has a communicable disease or infection:

\(1\) Refuse to provide transportation to the person;

\(2\) Require the person to provide a medical certificate; or

\(3\) Impose on the person any condition, restriction, or requirement
not imposed on other passengers.

(b)(1) The carrier may take the actions listed in paragraph (a) of this
section with respect to an individual who has a communicable disease or
infection only if the individual's condition poses a direct threat to
the health or safety of others.

\(2\) For purposes of this section, a direct threat means a significant
risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a
modification of policies, practices, or procedures, or by the provision
of auxiliary aids or services.

\(3\) In determining whether an individual poses a direct threat to the
health or safety of others, a carrier must make an individualized
assessment, based on reasonable judgment that relies on current medical
knowledge or on the best available objective evidence, to ascertain: the
nature, duration, and severity of the risk; that the potential harm to
the health and safety of others will actually occur; and whether
reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures will
mitigate the risk.

\(4\) In taking actions authorized under this paragraph, carriers shall
select the alternative, consistent with the safety and health of other
persons, that least restrictive from the point of view of the passenger
with the communicable disease. For example, the carrier should not
refuse to provide transportation to an individual if provision of a
medical certificate or reasonable modifications to practices, policies,
or procedures will mitigate the risk of communication of the disease to
others to extent that would permit the individual to travel.

\(5\) If an action authorized under this paragraph results in the
postponement of a passenger's travel, the carrier shall permit the
passenger to travel at a later time (up to 90 days from the date of the
postponed travel) at the fare that would have applied to the passenger's
originally scheduled trip without penalty or at the passenger's
discretion, provide a refund for any unused flights, including return
flights.

\(6\) Upon the passenger's request, the carrier shall provide to the
passenger a written explanation of any action taken under this paragraph
within 10 days of the request.

\(c\) If a qualified individual with a disability with a communicable
disease or infection of the kind described in paragraph (b) of this
section presents a medical certificate to the carrier, as provided in
§ 382.53(c)(2), the carrier shall provide transportation to the
individual, unless it is not feasible for the carrier to implement the
conditions set forth in the medical certificate as necessary to prevent
the transmission of the disease or infection to other persons in the
normal course of a flight.

\[Amdt. 6, 61 FR 56423, Nov. 1, 1996\]

**§ 382.53 Medical certificates.**

\(a\) Except as provided in this section, a carrier shall not require a
person who is otherwise a qualified person with a disability to have a
medical certificate as a condition for being provided transportation.

(b)(1) A carrier may require a medical certificate for a qualified
individual with a disability \--

\(i\) Who is traveling in a stretcher or incubator;

\(ii\) Who needs medical oxygen during a flight, as provided in 14 CFR
121.574; or

\(iii\) Whose medical condition is such that there is reasonable doubt
that the individual can complete the flight safely, without requiring
extraordinary medical assistance during the flight.

\(2\) For purposes of this paragraph, a medical certificate is a written
statement from the passenger's physician saying that the passenger is
capable of completing a flight safely, without requiring extraordinary
medical assistance during the flight.

(c)(1) If a qualified individual with a disability has a communicable
disease or infection of the kind described in § 382.51(b), a carrier may
require a medical certificate.

\(2\) For purposes of this paragraph, a medical certificate is a written
statement from the passenger's physician saying that the disease or
infection would not, under the present conditions in the particular
passenger's case, be communicable to other persons during the normal
course of a flight. The medical certificate shall state any conditions
or precautions that would have to be observed to prevent the
transmission of the disease or infection to other persons in the normal
course of a flight. It shall be dated within ten days of the date of the
flight for which it is presented.

**§ 382.55 Miscellaneous provisions.**

\(a\) Carriers shall permit dogs and other service animals used by
persons with a disability to accompany the persons on a flight.

\(1\) Carriers shall accept as evidence that an animal is a service
animal identification cards, other written documentation, presence of
harnesses or markings on harnesses, tags, or the credible verbal
assurances of the qualified individual with a disability using the
animal.

\(2\) Carriers shall permit a service animal to accompany a qualified
individual with a disability in any seat in which the person sits,
unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain
unobstructed in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation.

\(3\) In the event that special information concerning the
transportation of animals outside the continental United States is
either required to be or is provided by the carrier, the information
shall be provided to all passengers traveling with animals outside the
continental United States with the carrier, including those traveling
with service animals.

\(b\) Carriers shall not require qualified individuals with a disability
to sit on blankets.

\(c\) Carriers shall not restrict the movements of persons with a
disability in terminals or require them to remain in a holding area or
other location in order to be provided transportation, to receive
assistance, or for other purposes, or otherwise mandate separate
treatment for persons with a disability, except as permitted or required
in this part.

**§ 382.57 Charges for accommodations prohibited.**

Carriers shall not impose charges for providing facilities, equipment,
or services that are required by this part to be provided to qualified
individuals with a disability.

**§§ 382.59 \[Reserved\]**

**SUBPART D \-- ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS**

**§ 382.61 Training.**

\(a\) Each carrier which operates aircraft with more than 19 passenger
seats shall provide training, meeting the requirements of this
paragraph, for all its personnel who deal with the traveling public, as
appropriate to the duties of each employee.

\(1\) The carrier shall ensure training to proficiency concerning:

\(i\) The requirements of this part and other DOT or FAA regulations
affecting the provision of air travel to persons with a disability; and

\(ii\) The carrier's procedures, consistent with this part, concerning
the provision of air travel to persons with a disability, including the
proper and safe operation of any equipment used to accommodate
passengers with a disability.

\(2\) The carrier shall also train such employees with respect to
awareness and appropriate responses to persons with a disability,
including persons with physical, sensory, mental, and emotional
disabilities, including how to distinguish among the differing abilities
of individuals with a disability.

\(3\) The carrier shall consult with organizations representing persons
with disabilities in developing its training program and the policies
and procedures concerning which carrier personnel are trained.

\(4\) The carrier shall ensure that personnel required to receive
training shall complete the training by the following times:

\(i\) For crewmembers subject to training required under 14 CFR part 121
or 135, who are employed on the date the carrier's program is
established under § 382.63, as part of their next scheduled recurrent
training;

\(ii\) For other personnel employed on the date the carrier's program is
established under § 382.63, within 180 days of that date;

\(iii\) For crewmembers subject to training requirements under 14 CFR
part 121 or 135 whose employment in any given position commences after
the date the carrier's program is established under § 382.63, before
they assume their duties; and

\(iv\) For other personnel whose employment in any given position
commences after the date the carrier's program is established under §
382.63, within 60 days of the date on which they assume their duties.

\(5\) Each carrier shall ensure that all personnel required to receive
training receive refresher training on the matters covered by this
section, as appropriate to the duties of each employee, as needed to
maintain proficiency.

\(6\) Each carrier shall provide, or require its contractors to provide,
training to the contractors' employees concerning travel by persons with
a disability. This training is required only for those contractor
employees who deal directly with the traveling public at airports, and
it shall be tailored to the employees' functions. Training for
contractor employees shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1)
through (a)(5) of this section.

\(7\) Current employees of each carrier designated as complaints
resolution officials, for purposes of § 382.65 of this part, shall
receive training concerning the requirements of this part and the duties
of a complaints resolution official within 60 days of the effective date
of this part (i.e., by June 4, 1990). Employees subsequently designated
as complaints resolution officers shall receive this training before
assuming their duties under § 382.65. All employees performing the
complaints resolution official function shall receive annual refresher
training concerning their duties and the provisions of this regulation.

\(b\) Each carrier operating only aircraft with 19 or fewer passenger
seats shall provide training for flight crewmembers and appropriate
personnel to ensure that they are familiar with the matters listed in
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section and comply with the
requirements of this part.

**§ 382.63 Carrier programs.**

(a)(1) Each carrier that operates aircraft with more than 19 passenger
seats shall establish and implement, within 180 days of the effective
date of this part (i.e., by October 2, 1990), a written program for
carrying out the requirements of this part.

\(2\) Carriers are not excused from compliance with the provisions of
this part during the 180 days before carrier programs are required to be
established.

\(b\) The program shall include the following elements:

\(1\) The carrier's schedule for training its personnel in compliance
with § 382.61;

\(2\) The carrier's policies and procedures for accommodating passengers
with a disability consistent with the requirements of this part.

(c)(1) Major and National carriers (as defined in the DOT publication
Air Carrier Traffic Statistics), and every U.S. carrier that shares the
designator code of a Major or National carrier (as described in 14 CFR
399.88), shall submit their program to the Department for review within
180 days of the effective date of this part (i.e., by October 2, 1990).

\(2\) The Department shall review each carrier's program, which the
carrier shall implement without further DOT action at the time it is
submitted to the Department.

\(3\) If the Department determines that any portion of a carrier's plan
must be amended, or provisions added or deleted, in order for the
carrier to comply with this part, DOT will direct the carrier to make
appropriate changes. The carrier shall incorporate these changes into
its program and implement them.

\(d\) Other carriers shall maintain their programs on file, and shall
make them available for review by the Department on the Department's
request. If, upon such review, the Department determines that any
portion of a carrier's plan must be amended, or provisions added or
deleted, in order for the carrier to comply with this part, DOT will
direct the carrier to make appropriate changes. The carrier shall
incorporate these changes into its program and implement them.

**§ 382.65 Compliance procedures.**

\(a\) Each carrier providing scheduled service shall establish and
implement a complaint resolution mechanism, including designating one or
more complaints resolution official(s) (CRO) to be available at each
airport which the carrier serves.

\(1\) The carrier shall make a CRO available to any person who complains
of alleged violations of this part during all times the carrier is
operating at the airport.

\(2\) The carrier may make the CRO available via telephone, at no cost
to the passenger, if the CRO is not present in person at the airport at
the time of the complaint. If a telephone link to the CRO is used, TDD
service shall be available so that persons with hearing impairments may
readily communicate with the CRO.

\(3\) Each CRO shall be thoroughly familiar with the requirements of
this part and the carrier's procedures with respect to passengers with a
disability.

\(4\) Each CRO shall have the authority to make dispositive resolution
of complaints on behalf of the carrier.

\(5\) When a complaint is made to a CRO, the CRO shall promptly take
dispositive action as follows:

\(i\) If the complaint is made to a CRO before the action or proposed
action of carrier personnel has resulted in a violation of a provision
of this part, the CRO shall take or direct other carrier personnel to
take action, as necessary, to ensure compliance with this part.
Provided, That the CRO is not required to be given authority to
countermand a decision of the pilot-in-command of an aircraft based on
safety.

\(ii\) If an alleged violation of a provision of this part has already
occurred, and the CRO agrees that a violation has occurred, the CRO
shall provide to the complainant a written statement setting forth a
summary of the facts and what steps, if any, the carrier proposes to
take in response to the violation.

\(iii\) If the CRO determines that the carrier's action does not violate
a provision of this part, the CRO shall provide to the complainant a
written statement including a summary of the facts and the reasons,
under this part, for the determination.

\(iv\) The statements required to be provided in paragraph (a)(5) of
this section shall inform the complainant of his or her right to pursue
DOT enforcement action under this section. This statement shall be
provided in person to the complainant at the airport if possible;
otherwise, it shall be forwarded to the complainant within 10 calendar
days of the complaint.

\(b\) Each carrier shall establish a procedure for resolving written
complaints alleging violation of the provisions of this part.

\(1\) A carrier is not required to respond to a complaint postmarked
more than 45 days after the date of the alleged violation.

\(2\) A written complaint shall state whether the complainant has
contacted a CRO in the matter, the name of the CRO and the date of the
contact, if available, and include any written response received from
the CRO.

\(3\) The carrier shall make a dispositive written response to a written
complaint alleging a violation of a provision of this part within 30
days of its receipt.

\(i\) If the carrier agrees that a violation has occurred, the carrier
shall provide to the complainant a written statement setting forth a
summary of the facts and what steps, if any, the carrier proposes to
take in response to the violation.

\(ii\) If the carrier denies that a violation has occurred, the response
shall include a summary of the facts and the carrier's reasons, under
this part, for the determination.

\(iii\) The statements required to be provided in paragraph (b)(3) of
this section shall inform the complainant of his or her right to pursue
DOT enforcement action under this section.

\(c\) Any person believing that a carrier has violated any provision of
this part may contact the following office for assistance: Department of
Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection Division, 400 7th Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-2220.

\(d\) Any person believing that a carrier has violated any provision of
this part may file a formal complaint under the applicable procedures of
14 CFR part 302.

**§ 382.70 Disability-related complaints**

**received by carriers.**

\(a\) For the purposes of this section, a disability-related complaint
means a specific written expression of dissatisfaction received from, or
submitted on behalf, of an individual with a disability concerning a
difficulty associated with the person's disability, which the person
experienced when using or attempting to use an air carrier's or foreign
air carrier's services.

\(b\) This section applies to certificated U.S. carriers and foreign air
carriers operating to, from, and in the United States, conducting
passenger operations with at least one aircraft having a designed
seating capacity of more than 60 passengers. Foreign air carriers are
covered by this section only with respect to disability-related
complaints associated with any flight segment originating or terminating
in the United States.

\(c\) Carriers shall categorize disability-related complaints that they
receive according to the type of disability and nature of complaint.
Data concerning a passenger's disability must be recorded separately in
the following areas: vision impaired, hearing impaired, vision and
hearing impaired, mentally impaired, communicable disease, allergies
*(e.g*., food allergies, chemical sensitivity), paraplegic,
quadriplegic, other wheelchair, oxygen, stretcher, other assistive
device (cane, respirator, etc.), and other disability. Data concerning
the alleged discrimination or service problem related to the disability
must be separately recorded in the following areas: refusal to board,
refusal to board without an attendant, security issues concerning
disability, aircraft not accessible, airport not accessible, advance
notice dispute, seating accommodation, failure to provide adequate or
timely assistance, damage to assistive device, storage and delay of
assistive device, service animal problem, unsatisfactory information,
and other.

\(d\) Carriers shall submit an annual report summarizing the
disability-related complaints that they received during the prior
calendar year using the form specified in Appendix A to this Part. The
first report shall cover complaints received during calendar year 2004
and shall be submitted to the Department of Transportation by January
25, 2005. Carriers shall submit all subsequent reports on the last
Monday in January of that year for the prior calendar year. All
submissions must be made through the World Wide Web except for
situations where the carrier can demonstrate that it would suffer undue
hardship if it were not permitted to submit the data via paper copies,
disks, or email, and DOT has approved an exception. All fields in the
form must be completed; carriers are to enter ''0'' where there were no
complaints in a given category. Each annual report must contain the
following certification signed by an authorized representative of the
carrier: ''I, the undersigned, do certify that this report has been
prepared under my direction in accordance with the regulations in 14 CFR
Part 382. I affirm that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, this is
a true, correct, and complete report.'' Electronic signatures will be
accepted.

\(e\) Carriers shall retain correspondence and record of action taken on
all disability-related complaints for three years after receipt of the
complaint or creation of the record of action taken. Carriers must make
these records available to Department of Transportation officials at
their request.

(f)(1) In a code-share situation, each carrier shall comply with
paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section for---

\(i\) Disability-related complaints it receives from or on behalf of
passengers with respect to difficulties encountered in connection with
service it provides;

\(ii\) Disability-related complaints it receives from or on behalf of
passengers when it is unable to reach agreement with its code-share
partner as to whether the complaint involves service it provides or
service its code-share partner provides; and

\(iii\) Disability-related complaints forwarded by another carrier or
governmental agency with respect to difficulties encountered in
connection with service it provides.

\(2\) Each carrier shall also forward to its code-share partner
disability-related complaints the carrier receives from or on behalf of
passengers with respect to difficulties encountered in connection with
service provided by its code-sharing partner.

\(g\) Each carrier, except for carriers in code-share situations, shall
comply with paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section for
disability-related complaints it receives from or on behalf of
passengers as well as disability-related complaints forwarded by another
carrier or governmental agency with respect to difficulties encountered
in connection with service it provides.

\(h\) Carriers that do not submit their data via the Web shall use the
disability-related complaint data form specified in appendix A to this
part when filing their annual report summarizing the disability-related
complaints they received. The report shall be mailed, by the dates
specified in paragraph (d) of this section, to the following address:
U.S. Department of Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection
Division, 400 7th Street, SW., Room 4107, C--75, Washington, DC 20590.

\[Source: 68 FR 40488, July 8, 2003\]

Appendix A -- Disability Complaint Reporting Form

Name of Carrier: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Submission Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Contact Person: Period of Data Collection:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Name:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Telephone \# (include country code if outside the U.S.):
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Email address:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Mailing address:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Total number of complaints (i.e., incidents):
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

REPORT OF DISABILITY-RELATED COMPLAINT DATA

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td><p>Vision</p>
<p>Impaired</p></td>
<td><p>Hearing</p>
<p>Impaired</p></td>
<td>Vision &amp; Hearing Impaired</td>
<td>Parapl-egic</td>
<td>Quadr-iplegic</td>
<td>Other wheel-chair</td>
<td>Oxygen</td>
<td>Stretcher</td>
<td>Other Disab-ility</td>
<td>Other Assistive Device</td>
<td>Mentally Impaired</td>
<td>Communicable Disease</td>
<td>Allergies</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Refusal To Board Passenger</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Refusal to Board w/o Attendant</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Security Issues Regarding Disability</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Aircraft Not Accessible</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Airport Not Accessible</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Advance Notice Dispute</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Seating Accomm-odation</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Failure to Provide Assistance</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Damage to Assistive Device</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Storage and Delay of Assistive Device</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Service Animal Problem</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Unsatisfa-ctory Info</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Other</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

**Certification Statement:** I, the undersigned, do certify that this
report has been prepared under my direction in accordance with the
regulations in 14 CFR Part 382. I affirm that, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, this is a true, correct, and complete report

Signature:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

APPENDIX VI

**DOT Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air Transportation**

> 4910-62-P

68 FR 24875, May 9, 2003

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

Office of the Secretary

14 CFR Part 382

Docket No. OST-2003-15072

**Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air Transportation**

**AGENCY**: Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary.

**ACTION**: Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air Transportation.

**SUMMARY**: This notice publishes a revision to the Department of
Transportation's Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air
Transportation, originally published in the Federal Register on November
1, 1996 (61 FR 56409, 56420). It is the result of the Department's
review of a September 19, 2002, submission of suggested improvements to
the existing guidance from representatives of the disability community
and the airline industry.

**ADDRESSES**: This guidance document is available on the Department's
Web site at <http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/> and future updates or
revisions will be posted there. Questions regarding this notice may be
addressed to the Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, C-70,
400 7^th^ Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**: Damon P. Whitehead, Office of the
General Counsel, Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, 400
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-1743; fax: (202)
366-7152; E-mail: damon.whitehead@ost.dot.gov.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, DC

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

POLICY GUIDANCE CONCERNING SERVICE ANIMALS IN AIR TRANSPORTATION

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

In 1990, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) promulgated the
official regulations implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).
Those rules are entitled [Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability
in Air Travel]{.underline} (14 CFR Part 382). Since then the number of
people with disabilities traveling by air has grown steadily. This
growth has increased the demand for air transportation accessible to all
people with disabilities and the importance of understanding DOT's
regulations and how to apply them. This document expands on an earlier
DOT guidance document published in 1996[^8], which was based on an
earlier Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) service animal guide
issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in July 1996. The purpose of
this document is to aid airline employees and people with disabilities
in understanding and applying the ACAA and the provisions of Part 382
with respect to service animals in determining:

(1) whether an animal is a service animal and its user a qualified
    individual with a disability;

(2) how to accommodate a qualified person with a disability with a
    service animal in the aircraft cabin; and

(3) when a service animal legally can be refused carriage in the cabin.

**Background**

The 1996 DOT guidance document defines a service animal as "any guide
dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide
assistance to an individual with a disability. If the animal meets this
definition, it is considered a service animal regardless of whether it
has been licensed or certified by a state or local government." This
document refines DOT's previous definition of service animal[^9] by
making it clear that animals that assist persons with disabilities by
providing emotional support qualify as service animals and ensuring
that, in situations concerning emotional support animals, the authority
of airline personnel to require documentation of the individual's
disability and the medical necessity of the passenger traveling with the
animal is understood.

Today, both the general public and people with disabilities use many
different terms to identify animals that can meet the legal definition
of "service animal." These range from umbrella terms such as "assistance
animal" to specific labels such as "hearing," "signal," "seizure alert,"
"psychiatric service," "emotional support" animal, etc. that describe
how the animal assists a person with a disability.

When Part 382 was promulgated, most service animals were guide or
hearing dogs. Since then, a wider variety of animals (e.g., cats,
monkeys, etc.) have been individually trained to assist people with
disabilities. Service animals also perform a much wider variety of
functions than ever before (e.g., alerting a person with epilepsy of
imminent seizure onset, pulling a wheelchair, assisting persons with
mobility impairments with balance). These developments can make it
difficult for airline employees to distinguish service animals from
pets, especially when a passenger does not appear to be disabled, or the
animal has no obvious indicators that it is a service animal. Passengers
may claim that their animals are service animals at times to get around
airline policies that restrict the carriage of pets. Clear guidelines
are needed to assist airline personnel and people with disabilities in
knowing what to expect and what to do when these assessments are made.

Since airlines also are obliged to provide all accommodations in
accordance with FAA safety regulations (see section 382.3(d)), educated
consumers help assure that airlines provide accommodations consistent
with the carriers' safety duties and responsibilities. Educated
consumers also assist the airline in providing them the services they
want, including accommodations, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

**General Requirements of Part 382**

In a nutshell, the main requirements of Part 382 regarding service
animals are:

-   Carriers shall permit dogs and other service animals used by persons
    with disabilities to accompany the persons on a flight. See section
    382.55(a)(1-2).

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-   Carriers shall accept as evidence that an animal is a service animal
    identifiers such as identification cards, other written
    documentation, presence of harnesses, tags or the credible verbal
    assurances of a qualified individual with a disability using the
    animal.

-   Carriers shall permit a service animal to accompany a qualified
    individual with a disability in any seat in which the person sits,
    unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain
    unobstructed in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation or to
    comply with FAA regulations.

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-   If a service animal cannot be accommodated at the seat location of
    the qualified individual with a disability whom the animal is
    accompanying, the carrier shall offer the passenger the opportunity
    to move with the animal to a seat location in the same class of
    service, if present on the aircraft, where the animal can be
    accommodated, as an alternative to requiring that the animal travel
    in the cargo hold (see section 382.37(c)).

-   Carriers shall not impose charges for providing facilities,
    equipment, or services that are required by this part to be provided
    to qualified individuals with a disability (see section 382.57).

**Two Steps for Airline Personnel**

To determine whether an animal is a service animal and should be allowed
to accompany its user in the cabin, airline personnel should:

1.  Establish whether the animal is a pet or a service animal, and
    whether the passenger is a qualified individual with a disability;
    and then

2.  Determine if the service animal presents either

-   a "direct threat to the health or safety of others," or

-   a significant threat of disruption to the airline service in the
    cabin (i.e. a "fundamental alteration" to passenger service). See
    382.7(c).

**[Service Animals]{.underline}**

***How do I know it's a service animal and not a pet?***

Remember: In most situations [the key is TRAINING.]{.underline}
Generally, a service animal is individually trained to perform functions
to assist the passenger who is a qualified individual with a disability.
In a few extremely limited situations, an animal such as a seizure alert
animal may be capable of performing functions to assist a qualified
person with a disability without individualized training. Also, an
animal used for emotional support need not have specific training for
that function. Similar to an animal that has been individually trained,
the definition of a service animal includes:

> • an animal that has been shown to have the innate ability to assist a
> person with a disability; or
>
> • an emotional support animal.

These five steps can help one determine whether an animal is a service
animal or a pet:

1.  [Obtain credible verbal assurances]{.underline}: Ask the passenger:
    ***"Is this your pet?"*** If the passenger responds that the animal
    is a service animal and not a pet, but uncertainty remains about the
    animal, appropriate follow-up questions would include:

-   ***"What tasks or functions does your animal perform for you?\"***
    or

-   ***"What has it been trained to do for you?"***

-   ***"Would you describe how the animal performs this task (or
    function) for you?"***

> • As noted earlier, functions include, but are not limited to:
>
> A. helping blind or visually impaired people to safely negotiate their
> surroundings;
>
> B. alerting deaf and hard-of-hearing persons to sounds;
>
> C. helping people with mobility impairments to open and close doors,
> retrieve objects, transfer from one seat to another, maintain balance;
> or
>
> D. alert or respond to a disability-related need or emergency (e.g.,
> seizure, extreme social anxiety or panic attack).
>
> • Note that to be a service animal that can properly travel in the
> cabin, the animal need not necessarily perform a function for the
> passenger during the flight. For example, some dogs are trained to
> help pull a passenger's wheelchair or carry items that the passenger
> cannot readily carry while using his or her wheelchair. It would not
> be appropriate to deny transportation in the cabin to such a dog.
>
> • If a passenger cannot provide credible assurances that an animal has
> been individually trained or is able to perform some task or function
> to assist the passenger with his or her disability, the animal might
> not be a service animal. In this case, the airline personnel may
> require documentation (see Documentation below).
>
> • There may be cases in which a passenger with a disability has
> personally trained an animal to perform a specific function (e.g.,
> seizure alert). Such an animal may not have been trained through a
> formal training program (e.g., a "school" for service animals). If the
> passenger can provide a reasonable explanation of how the animal was
> trained or how it performs the function for which it is being used,
> this can constitute a "credible verbal assurance" that the animal has
> been trained to perform a function for the passenger.

2.  [Look for physical indicators on the animal]{.underline}: Some
    service animals wear harnesses, vests, capes or backpacks. Markings
    on these items or on the animal's tags may identify it as a service
    animal. It should be noted, however, that the absence of such
    equipment does not necessarily mean the animal is not a service
    animal.

3.  [Request documentation for service animals other than emotional
    support animals]{.underline}: The law allows airline personnel to
    ask for documentation as a means of verifying that the animal is a
    service animal, but DOT urges carriers not to require documentation
    as a condition for permitting an individual to travel with his or
    her service animal in the cabin unless a passenger's verbal
    assurance is not credible. In that case, the airline may require
    documentation as a condition for allowing the animal to travel in
    the cabin. The purpose of documentation is to substantiate the
    passenger's disability-related need for the animal's accompaniment,
    which the airline may require as a condition to permit the animal to
    travel in the cabin. Examples of documentation include a letter from
    a licensed professional treating the passenger's condition (e.g.,
    physician, mental health professional, vocational case manager,
    etc.)

4.  [Require documentation for emotional support animals]{.underline}:
    With respect to an animal used for emotional support (which need not
    have specific training for that function), airline personnel may
    require current documentation (i.e., not more than one year old) on
    letterhead from a mental health professional stating (1) that the
    passenger has a mental health-related disability; (2) that having
    the animal accompany the passenger is necessary to the passenger's
    mental health or treatment or to assist the passenger (with his or
    her disability); and (3) that the individual providing the
    assessment of the passenger is a licensed mental health professional
    and the passenger is under his or her professional care. Airline
    personnel may require this documentation as a condition of
    permitting the animal to accompany the passenger in the cabin. The
    purpose of this provision is to prevent abuse by passengers that do
    not have a medical need for an emotional support animal and to
    ensure that passengers who have a legitimate need for emotional
    support animals are permitted to travel with their service animals
    on the aircraft. Airlines are not permitted to require the
    documentation to specify the type of mental health disability, e.g.,
    panic attacks.

5.  [Observe behavior of animals]{.underline}: Service animals are
    trained to behave properly in public settings. For example, a
    properly trained guide dog will remain at its owner's feet. It does
    not run freely around an aircraft or an airport gate area, bark or
    growl repeatedly at other persons on the aircraft, bite or jump on
    people, or urinate or defecate in the cabin or gate area. An animal
    that engages in such disruptive behavior shows that it has not been
    successfully trained to function as a service animal in public
    settings. Therefore, airlines are not required to treat it as a
    service animal, even if the animal performs an assistive function
    for a passenger with a disability or is necessary for a passenger's
    emotional well-being.

***What about service animals in training?***

Part 382 requires airlines to allow service animals to accompany their
handlers[^10] in the cabin of the aircraft, but airlines are not
required otherwise to carry animals of any kind either in the cabin or
in the cargo hold. Airlines are free to adopt any policy they choose
regarding the carriage of pets and other animals provided that they
comply with other applicable requirements (e.g., the Animal Welfare
Act). Although "service animals in training" are not pets, the ACAA does
not include them, because "in training" status indicates that they do
not yet meet the legal definition of service animal. However, like pet
policies, airline policies regarding service animals in training vary.
Some airlines permit qualified trainers to bring service animals in
training aboard an aircraft for training purposes. Trainers of service
animals should consult with airlines, and become familiar with their
policies.

***What about a service animal that is not accompanying a qualified
individual with a disability?***

When a service animal is not accompanying a passenger with a disability,
the airline\'s general policies on the carriage of animals usually
apply. Airline personnel should know their company's policies on pets,
service animals in training, and the carriage of animals generally.
Individuals planning to travel with a service animal other than their
own should inquire about the applicable policies in advance.

**[Qualified Individuals with Disabilities]{.underline}**[^11]

***How do** **I know if a passenger is a qualified individual with a
disability who is entitled to bring a service animal in the cabin of the
aircraft if the disability is not readily apparent?***

-   Ask the passenger about his or her disability as it relates to the
    need for a service animal. Once the passenger identifies the animal
    as a service animal, you may ask, ***"How does your animal assist
    you with your disability?"*** Avoid the question "What is your
    disability?" as this implies you are asking for a medical label or
    the cause of the disability, which is intrusive and inconsistent
    with the intent of the ACAA. Remember, Part 382 is intended to
    facilitate travel by people with disabilities by requiring airlines
    to accommodate them on an individual basis.

-   Ask the passenger whether he or she has documentation as a means of
    verifying the medical necessity of the passenger traveling with the
    animal. Keep in mind that you can ask but cannot require
    documentation as proof of service animal status UNLESS (1) a
    passenger's verbal assurance is not credible and the airline
    personnel cannot in good faith determine whether the animal is a
    service animal without documentation, or (2) a passenger indicates
    that the animal is to be used as an emotional support animal.

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-   Using the questions and other factors above, you must decide whether
    it is reasonable to believe that the passenger is a qualified
    individual with a disability, and the animal is a service animal.

**[Denying a Service Animal Carriage in the Cabin]{.underline}**

***What do I do if I believe that carriage of the animal in the cabin of
the aircraft would inconvenience non-disabled passengers?***

Part 382 requires airlines to permit qualified individuals with a
disability to be accompanied by their service animals in the cabin, as
long as the animals do not 1) pose a direct threat to the health or
safety of others (e.g., animal displays threatening behaviors by
growling, snarling, lunging at, or attempting to bite other persons on
the aircraft) or 2) cause a significant disruption in cabin service
(i.e. a "fundamental alteration" to passenger service). Inconvenience of
other passengers is not sufficient grounds to deny a service animal
carriage in the cabin; as indicated later in this document, however,
airlines are not required to ask other passengers to relinquish space
that they would normally use in order to accommodate a service animal
(e.g., space under the seat in front of the non-disabled passenger).

What do I do if I believe that a passenger's assertions about having a
disability or a service animal are not credible?

-   Ask if the passenger has documentation that satisfies the
    requirements for determining that the animal is a service animal
    (see discussion of "Documentation" above).

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-   If the passenger has no documents, then explain to the passenger
    that the animal cannot be carried in the cabin, because it does not
    meet the criteria for service animals. Explain your airline's policy
    on pets (i.e., will or will not accept for carriage in the cabin or
    cargo hold), and what procedures to follow.

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-   If the passenger does not accept your explanation, avoid getting
    into an argument. Ask the passenger to wait while you contact your
    airline's **[complaint resolution official (CRO)]{.underline}**.
    Part 382 requires all airlines to have a CRO available at each
    airport they serve during all hours of operation. The CRO may be
    made available by telephone. The CRO is a resource for resolving
    difficulties related to disability accommodation.

-   Consult with the CRO immediately, if possible. The CRO normally has
    the authority to make the final decision regarding carriage of
    service animals. In the rare instance that a service animal would
    raise a concern regarding flight safety, the CRO may consult with
    the pilot-in-command. If the pilot-in-command makes a decision to
    restrict the animal from the cabin or the flight for safety reasons,
    the CRO cannot countermand the pilot's decision. This does not
    preclude the Department from taking subsequent enforcement action,
    however, if it is determined that the pilot's decision was
    inconsistent with Part 382.

-   If a passenger makes a complaint to a CRO about a past decision not
    to accept an animal as a service animal, then the CRO must provide a
    written statement to the passenger within 10 days explaining the
    reason(s) for that determination. If carrier personnel other than
    the CRO make the final decision, a written explanation is not
    required; however, because denying carriage of a legitimate service
    animal is a potential civil rights violation, it is recommended that
    carrier personnel explain to the passenger the reason the animal
    will not be accepted as a service animal. A recommended practice may
    include sending passengers whose animals are not accepted as service
    animals a letter within ten business days explaining the basis for
    such a decision.

In considering whether a service animal should be excluded from the
cabin, keep these things in mind:

-   Certain unusual service animals pose unavoidable safety and/or
    public health concerns and airlines are not required to transport
    them. Snakes, other reptiles, ferrets, rodents, and spiders
    certainly fall within this category of animals.

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-   In all other circumstances, each situation must be considered
    individually. Do not make assumptions about how a particular unusual
    animal is likely to behave based on past experience with other
    animals. You may inquire, however, about whether a particular animal
    has been trained to behave properly in a public setting.

• Before deciding to exclude the animal, you should consider and try
available means of mitigating the problem (e.g., muzzling a dog that
barks frequently, allowing the passenger a reasonable amount of time
under the circumstances to correct the disruptive behavior, offering the
passenger a different seat where the animal won't block the aisle.)

**If it is determined that the animal should not accompany the disabled
passenger in the cabin at this time, offer the passenger alternative
accommodations in accordance with Part 382 and company policy (e.g.,
accept the animal for carriage in the cargo hold).**

***What about unusual service animals?***

-   As indicated above, certain unusual service animals, pose
    unavoidable safety and/or public health concerns and airlines are
    not required to transport them. Snakes, other reptiles, ferrets,
    rodents, and spiders certainly fall within this category of animals.
    The release of such an animal in the aircraft cabin could result in
    a direct threat to the health or safety of passengers and
    crewmembers. For these reasons, airlines are not required to
    transport these types of service animals in the cabin, and carriage
    in the cargo hold will be in accordance with company policies on the
    carriage of animals generally.

-   Other unusual animals such as miniature horses, pigs and monkeys
    should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Factors to consider are
    the animal's size, weight, state and foreign country restrictions,
    and whether or not the animal would pose a direct threat to the
    health or safety of others, or cause a fundamental alteration
    (significant disruption) in the cabin service. If none of these
    factors apply, the animal may accompany the passenger in the cabin.
    In most other situations, the animal should be carried in the cargo
    hold in accordance with company policy.

**[Miscellaneous Questions]{.underline}**

***What about the passenger who has two or more service animals?***

-   A single passenger legitimately may have two or more service
    animals. In these circumstances, you should make every reasonable
    effort to accommodate them in the cabin in accordance with Part 382
    and company policies on seating. This might include permitting the
    passenger to purchase a second seat so that the animals can be
    accommodated in accordance with FAA safety regulations. You may
    offer the passenger a seat on a later flight if the passenger and
    animals cannot be accommodated together at a single passenger seat.
    Airlines may not charge passengers for accommodations that are
    required by Part 382, including transporting service animals in the
    cargo compartment. If carriage in the cargo compartment is
    unavoidable, notify the destination station to return the service
    animal(s) to the passenger at the gate as soon as possible, or to
    assist the passenger as necessary to retrieve them in the
    appropriate location.

***What if the service animal is too large to fit under the seat in
front of the customer?***

-   If the service animal does not fit in the assigned location, you
    should relocate the passenger and the service animal to some other
    place in the cabin in the same class of service where the animal
    will fit under the seat in front of the passenger and not create an
    obstruction, such as the bulkhead. If no single seat in the cabin
    will accommodate the animal and passenger without causing an
    obstruction, you may offer the option of purchasing a second seat,
    traveling on a later flight or having the service animal travel in
    the cargo hold. As indicated above, airlines may not charge
    passengers with disabilities for services required by Part 382,
    including transporting their oversized service animals in the cargo
    compartment.

*Should passengers provide advance notice to the airline concerning
multiple or large service animals?*

In most cases, airlines may not insist on advance notice or health
certificates for service animals under the ACAA regulations. However, it
is very useful for passengers to contact the airline well in advance if
one or more of their service animals may need to be transported in the
cargo compartment. The passenger will need to understand airline
policies and should find out what type of documents the carrier would
need to ensure the safe passage of the service animal in the cargo
compartment and any restrictions for cargo travel that might apply
(e.g., temperature conditions that limit live animal transport).

***What if an airline employee or another passenger on board is allergic
or has an adverse reaction to a passenger's service animal?***

Passengers who state they have allergies or other animal aversions
should be located as far away from the service animal as practicable.
Whether or not an individual's allergies or animal aversions are
disabilities (an issue this Guidance does not address), each
individual\'s needs should be addressed to the fullest extent possible
under the circumstances and in accordance with the requirements of Part
382 and company policy.

## [Accommodating Passengers With Service Animals in the Cabin]{.underline}

***How can airline personnel help ensure that passengers with service
animals are assigned and obtain appropriate seats on the aircraft?***

-   Let passengers know the airline's policy about seat assignments for
    people with disabilities. For instance: (1) should the passenger
    request pre-boarding at the gate? or (2) should the passenger
    request an advance seat assignment (a priority seat such as a
    bulkhead seat or aisle seat) up to 24 hours before departure? or (3)
    should the passenger request an advance seat assignment at the gate
    on the day of departure? When assigning priority seats, ask the
    passenger what location best fits his/her needs.

-   Passengers generally know what kinds of seats best suit their
    service animals. In certain circumstances, passengers with service
    animals must either be provided their pre-requested priority seats,
    or if their requested seat location cannot be made available, they
    must be assigned to other available priority seats of their choice
    in the same cabin class. Part 382.38 requires airlines to provide a
    bulkhead seat or a seat other than a bulkhead seat at the request of
    an individual traveling with a service animal.

-   Passengers should comply with airline recommendations or
    requirements regarding when they should arrive at the gate before a
    flight. This may vary from airport to airport and airline to
    airline. Not all airlines announce pre-boarding for passengers with
    special needs, although it may be available. If you wish to request
    pre-boarding, tell the agent at the gate.

-   Unless pre-boarding is not part of your carrier's business
    operation, a timely request for pre-boarding by a passenger with a
    disability should be honored (382.38 (d)).

-   Part 382 does not require carriers to make modifications that would
    constitute an undue burden or would fundamentally alter their
    programs (382.7 (c)). Therefore, the following are [not]{.underline}
    required in providing accommodations for users of service animals
    and are examples of what might realistically be viewed as creating
    an undue burden:

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-   Asking another passenger to give up the space in front of his or her
    seat to accommodate a service animal;

-   Denying transportation to any individual on a flight in order to
    provide an accommodation to a passenger with a service animal;

-   Furnishing more than one seat per ticket; and

-   Providing a seat in a class of service other than the one the
    passenger has purchased.

***Are airline personnel responsible for the care and feeding of service
animals?***

Airline personnel are not required to provide care, food, or special
facilities for service animals. The care and supervision of a service
animal is solely the responsibility of the passenger with a disability
whom the animal is accompanying.

***May an air carrier charge a maintenance or cleaning fee to passengers
who travel with service animals?***

Part 382 prohibits air carriers from imposing special charges for
accommodations required by the regulation, such as carriage of a service
animal. However, an air carrier may charge passengers with a disability
if a service animal causes damage, as long as it is its regular practice
to charge non-disabled passengers for similar kinds of damage. For
example, it could charge a passenger with a disability for the cost of
repairing or cleaning a seat damaged by a service animal, assuming that
it is its policy to charge when a non-disabled passenger or his or her
pet causes similar damage.

**[Advice for Passengers with Service Animals]{.underline}**

-   Ask about the airline's policy on advance seat assignments for
    people with disabilities. For instance: (1) should a passenger
    request pre-boarding at the gate? or (2) should a passenger request
    an advance seat assignment (a priority seat such as a (bulkhead seat
    or aisle seat)) up to 24 hours before departure? or (3) should a
    passenger request an advance seat assignment at the gate on the day
    of departure?

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-   Although airlines are not permitted to automatically require
    documentation for service animals other than emotional support
    animals, if you think it would help you explain the need for a
    service animal, you may want to carry documentation from your
    physician or other licensed professional confirming your need for
    the service animal. Passengers with unusual service animals also may
    want to carry documentation confirming that their animal has been
    trained to perform a function or task for them.

-   If you need a specific seat assignment for yourself and your service
    animal, make your reservation as far in advance as you can, and
    identify your need at that time.

-   You may have to be flexible if your assigned seat unexpectedly turns
    out to be in an emergency exit row. When an aircraft is changed at
    the last minute, seating may be reassigned automatically. Automatic
    systems generally do not recognize special needs, and may make
    inappropriate seat assignments. In that case, you may be required by
    FAA regulations to move to another seat.

-   Arrive at the gate when instructed by the airline, typically at
    least one hour before departure, and ask the gate agent for
    pre-boarding \-- if that is your desire.

-   Remember that your assigned seat may be reassigned if you fail to
    check in on time; airlines typically release seat assignments not
    claimed 30 minutes before scheduled departure. In addition, if you
    fail to check in on time you may not be able to take advantage of
    the airline's pre-board offer.

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-   If you have a very large service animal or multiple animals that
    might need to be transported in the cargo compartment, contact the
    airline well in advance of your travel date. In most cases, airlines
    cannot insist on advance notice or health certificates for service
    animals under the ACAA regulations. However, it is very useful for
    passengers to contact the airline well in advance if one or more of
    their service animals may need to be transported in the cargo
    compartment. The passenger will need to understand airline policies
    and should find out what type of documents the carrier would need to
    ensure the safe passage of the service animal in the cargo
    compartment and any restrictions for cargo travel that might apply
    (e.g., temperature conditions that limit live animal transport).

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-   If you are having difficulty receiving an appropriate accommodation,
    ask the airline employee to contact the airline's **[complaint
    resolution official (CRO)]{.underline}**. Part 382 requires all
    airlines to have a CRO available during all hours of operation. The
    CRO is a resource for resolving difficulties related to disability
    accommodations.

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-   Another resource for resolving issues related to disability
    accommodations is the U.S. Department of Transportation's aviation
    consumer disability hotline. The toll-free number is 1-800-778-4838
    (voice) and 1-800-455-9880 (TTY).

**Glossary**

***Direct Threat to the Health or Safety of Others***

A significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be
eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures, or
by the provision of auxiliary aids or services.

***Fundamental Alteration***

A modification that substantially alters the basic nature or purpose of
a program, service, product or activity.

***Individual with a Disability***

"Any individual who has a physical or mental impairment that, on a
permanent or temporary basis, substantially limits one or more major
life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as
having such an impairment." (Section 382.5).

***Qualified Individual with a Disability***

Any individual with a disability who:

(1) "takes those actions necessary to avail himself or herself of
    facilities or services offered by an air carrier to the general
    public with respect to accompanying or meeting a traveler, use of
    ground transportation, using terminal facilities, or obtaining
    information about schedules, fares or policies";

(2) "offers, or makes a good faith attempt to offer, to purchase or
    otherwise validly to obtain . . . a ticket" "for air transportation
    on an air carrier"; or

(3) "purchases or possesses a valid ticket for air transportation on an
    air carrier and presents himself or herself at the airport for the
    purpose of traveling on the flight for which the ticket has been
    purchased or obtained; and meets reasonable, nondiscriminatory
    contract of carriage requirements applicable to all passengers."
    (Section 382.5).

***Service Animal***

Any animal that is individually trained or able to provide assistance to
a qualified person with a disability; or any animal shown by
documentation to be necessary for the emotional well being of a
passenger.

**[Sources]{.underline}**

*See:* 14 CFR 382.5**,** 14 CFR 382.37(a) and (c), 14 CFR 382.38 (a)(3),
(b), (d) & (h)-(j), 14 CFR 382.55(a)(1)-(3), 14 CFR 382.57, "Guidance
Concerning Service Animals in Air Transportation," (61 FR 56420-56422,
(November 1, 1996)), "Commonly Asked Questions About Service Animals in
Places of Business" (Department of Justice, July, 1996), and "ADA
Business Brief: Service Animals" (Department of Justice, April 2002).

Questions regarding this notice may be addressed to the Office of
Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, C-70, 400 7^th^ Street, SW,
Washington, D.C. 20590. A copy of this notice will be published in the
Federal Register.

An electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide
Web at [http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov](http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/)

Issued in Washington, DC on May 2, 2003.

Samuel Podberesky,

Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings

[^1]: ^1^*See also* Appendix VI.

[^2]: ^1^ In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, in most
    cases, TSA has taken over for carriers in the area of providing
    security screenings of passengers. Should carriers resume this
    responsibility or in cases where carriers still retain some
    involvement in the security screening process, this section would be
    applicable to carriers and contractors of carriers performing this
    function.

[^3]: ^1^ Foreign carriers are covered by this section only with respect
    to disability-related complaints associated with any flight segment
    originating or terminating in the United States. \[Sec. 382.70(b)\]

[^4]: ^1^ Compliance with the requirements applying to places of public
    accommodation under Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations
    implementing Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
    is sufficient for compliance under the ACAA and part 382 with
    respect to airport terminal facilities and services. \[Sec.
    382.23(b)\]

[^5]: Foreign carriers are covered by this section only with respect to
    disability-related complaints associated with any flight segment
    originating or terminating in the United States. \[Sec. 382.70(b)\]

[^6]: The Aerospatiale/Aeritalia ATR-72 and the British Aerospace
    Advanced Turboprop (ATP), in configurations having between 60 and 70
    passenger seats, are exempt from this requirement. See 57 FR 12872,
    April 14, 1992.

[^7]: [Editorial note:]{.smallcaps} As stated in the preamble discussion
    of this provision (63 FR 10534), carriers may deny transportation
    for the battery if the potential safety hazard is serious enough.

[^8]: 61 FR 56409, 56420 (Nov. 1, 1996).

[^9]: See Glossary for definition of this and other terms.

[^10]: Service animal users typically refer to the person who
    accompanies the animal as the "handler."

[^11]: See Glossary.