News Release

NCD #99-260
February 8, 1999
Contact: Mark S. Quigley
202-272-2004
202-272-2074 TTY
mquigley@ncd.gov

National Council on Disability Commends Secretary of Transportation for Proposing to Strengthen the Air Carrier Access Act for People with Disabilities

WASHINGTON--The National Council on Disability (NCD) applauds the Secretary of Transportation's announcement today of a series of Administration proposals to advance the civil rights of air travelers with disabilities by, among other things, strengthening the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). These proposals are a welcome and prompt response to recommendations NCD shared with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in advance of the pending release of NCD's extensive study of federal enforcement of ACAA.

According to NCD chairperson Marca Bristo, "NCD commends Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater for responding to our recommendations to strengthen the enforcement provisions of ACAA. Under Secretary Slater's leadership, this Department of Transportation (DOT) has shown unprecedented leadership in advancing the rights of travelers with disabilities. NCD is pleased to see the responsiveness of the Clinton Administration to these issues."

"For too many air travelers with disabilities, the airways continue to be a hostile environment", Bristo said. NCD found in its study the ACAA requirements were not well understood by many airline and airport staff and often not taken seriously by airline and airport officials. Accordingly, problems with compliance are legion. As one wheelchair user commented, "If you are a wheelchair user and travel even occasionally by air, it's a safe bet that you have had trouble on just about every flight you have ever taken."

"NCD encourages Congress to act promptly in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen enforcement of ACAA as part of the Federal Aviation Act reauthorization. Working together, (more) Congress and the Administration should take advantage of this opportunity to put an end to years of lax enforcement and inconsistent practices. Now is the time to fulfill the promise of equal access to the skies," Bristo added.

As part of its Disability Civil Rights Monitoring Project, NCD is currently conducting a multi year study to evaluate the enforcement and implementation of ACAA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Housing Act. In March, NCD will release its report Enforcing the Civil Rights of Air Travelers with Disabilities: Recommendations for the Department of Transportation and Congress. This report will be the first in a series on enforcement of federal laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

For more information, contact NCD general counsel Andrew J. Imparato at 202-272-2112 (410-467-5695 home) or public affairs specialist Mark S. Quigley at 202-272-2008 (301-390-0930 home), or visit NCD's Web page (http://www.ncd.gov).