AAPD Staff On Traveling with a Disability PLUS A "Know Your Rights" Webinar

 

From WUSA9 (10.26.10):

US Airways Responds To Criticism From Disabled Passengers

by Andrea McCarren

..."Well we passed the civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 20 years ago, but that doesn't change attitudes overnight," said Andy Imparato, the President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.

"I was furious. And I was angry," said Jim Dickson. He was so upset because a similar incident happened to him, also on US Airways. Blind, Dickson always travels with his service dog, Pierson. They flew from DC to Charlotte without a hitch. But after boarding the next flight, he was told to get off.

"It's just infuriating. And I basically don't fly USAir anymore," said Dickson.

Luckily, he'd packed the paperwork three US Airways agents told him he wouldn't need -- verification that Pierson is a service dog and up to date on his shots. Dickson was eventually allowed to return to his seat and fly to his destination...

>>> For the Full Article

From the Association for Airline Passenger Rights (10.26.10):

Flying with Wheelchairs: Knowing Your Rights & Responsibilities at 32,000 Feet

The Association for Airline Passenger Rights – in partnership with the ADA National Network (formerly DBTACs) – is hosting an educational webinar, “Flying with Wheelchairs: Knowing Your Rights & Responsibilities at 32,000 Feet,” on Tuesday, December 7^th from 2:00 – 3:30 pm (EST).  Learn more at http://www.flyfriendlyskies.com/events.html or  Download the webinar flier

Comments

[Concerned Deaf Citizen]

Why are there no captions on the video?

[Marc Brenman]

There may be some misunderstanding here. The law that provides disability rights in commercial air travel is the Air Carrier Access Act, not the ADA. The ACAA is enforced by the US Department of Transportation, which has issued detailed regulations, some new, on the subject. While it's not perfect, it goes a long way toward providing acceptable air travel for people with disabilities. Problems, which do unfortunately persist, should be brought to the attention of the airline's Customer Resolution Office, and, if necessary, a complaint filed with the US Dept of Transportation's Air Consumer Protection Division, part of the General Counsel's Office.

[shannessy mitchell]

It is an unfortunate reality that persons with disabilities must face additional obstacles and hardships due to others ignorance. We live in a time where everything seems to be about money first, clearly neglecting a humanistic approach when dealing with possible issues. I find it ridicules that US airways takes the “it’s for your safety” route. It is not for a person with disabilities safety is to protect their pockets. These men have traveled on many airlines without a problem and should their be an emergency I feel that airlines staff should be well educated and trained to assist all of their passengers that need help. All airlines allow children to fly alone, which obviously they would need assistance in an emergency so I don’t see the difference in assisting someone with a disability if needed.

[Csaba S. Hutoczki]

Temporary able bodied people lacking personal understanding and consideration of people with disabilities is one immoral thing, but explicitly addressing this in a professional capacity is wrong on several other levels. It is difficult enough to conceive how someone refuses to develop enough humanness and social awareness to show consideration in a situation like this, but even more baffling to understand how the leadership of a large airliner can fail in at least training their staff to do what’s right.

It would be wonderful to be able to change employees to care automatically (although expected form a customer service provider of this magnitude), but if that’s just not possible at least train them properly to avoid causing such unnecessary pain for the passenger, shame for the company, and disappointment to a Nation.

[Karawang]

interesting article,, thanks for sharing .. I am glad to read it because it adds to my knowledge