The U.S. Government Strengthens Rules for Flyers with Disabilities | What This Means for You

(Left to right) Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Alexandra Bennewith (United Spinal Association) and U.S. secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) final rule for the safe and dignified treatment of airline passengers with disabilities goes into effect today, January 16, 2025. This means that people traveling in the U.S. can expect airlines to implement better training for workers who assist individuals with disabilities, improved notification and handling of damaged wheelchairs, and safer on-board wheelchairs by next year.

This win for the disability community comes after the proposed rulemaking was released by the DOT last year. After extending the deadline for public comment and consulting with disability organizations, the DOT released its final rule in December 2024. The sweeping rule covers all facets of air travel that those with disabilities face, from curb to airplane, and strengthens the rights afforded in the 1986 Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which prohibits airlines from discriminating against individuals with disabilities

Disability community applauds DOT rule
“President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg and Kelly Buckland, the Transportation Department’s Disability Policy Adviser, made this new rule a reality,” said Kent Keyser, policy fellow with the United Spinal Association. “Now it is up to the airlines, their workers and workers’ unions along with the disability community to make it work. Safe, timely transfers to and from our wheelchairs and safe stowage of our wheelchairs mean more timely and efficient flights. That benefits all passengers and the airlines.”

Approximately 5.5 million people in the U.S. use a wheelchair, and DOT data shows that one wheelchair out of 100 is damaged, delayed, or lost. One of the major provisions of this final rule moves the responsibility from the owner of the wheelchair to the airline if the wheelchair user loses their chair and/or requires a replacement.

“This is very personal to me,” said Michele Erwin, the founder of advocacy organization All Wheels Up, which aims to fund research and development for a wheelchair spot on commercial aircraft. “The work done by many, many people with the same goal has led us to this point. This is not something that will help a few people, this is something that will positively help millions of Americans.”

The DOT press release gives more insight into the specific rules that are being added or changing. The full text of the rule changes is also available. 

What does this mean for you?
It’s important to know the rights you have as a traveler with a disability in the context of this new rule. If your mobility device is damaged or broken beyond repair, you have a right to talk to an airline’s complaint resolution officer (CRO).

Erwin of All Wheels Up also encourages those traveling with disabilities to advocate for themselves and understand their rights. The DOT has developed an Airline Passenger with Disabilities Bill of Rights in response to the ACAA. These include:

• The Right to Be Treated with Dignity and Respect.
• The Right to Receive Information About Services and Aircraft Capabilities and Limitations.
• The Right to Receive Information in an Accessible Format.
• The Right to Accessible Airport Facilities.
• The Right to Assistance at Airports.
• The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft.
• The Right to Travel with an Assistive Device or Service Animal.
• The Right to Receive Seating Accommodations.
• The Right to Accessible Aircraft Features.
• The Right to Resolution of a Disability-Related Issue

If you’d like to learn more about this rule and the recent FAA Reauthorization Act, which strengthens the DOT rule, check out Wheelchair Nerds episode 31 featuring Keyser and Alexandra (Alex) Bennewith, vice president of government relations at the United Spinal Association.