U.S. Access Board
Releases Voluntary Guidelines for Onboard Wheelchairs for Public Comment
The U.S. Access Board has released for public comment advisory
guidelines for wheelchairs used on commercial passenger aircraft
during flight. These onboard wheelchairs are provided by air carriers as a
means of facilitating the transfer of passengers with disabilities to
aircraft lavatories since personal wheelchairs cannot be used in the cabin.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has expressed its
intention to supplement its regulations under the Air Carrier Access Act
(ACAA) to include performance standards for onboard wheelchairs on covered
aircraft. The Board is developing these non-binding guidelines as technical
assistance to air carriers and manufacturers of onboard wheelchairs by
providing an example of how to meet DOT's planned performance standards. See related information, including
instructions for submitting comments (Docket ATBCB-2019-0002).
As indicated in a notice
published in the Federal
Register, the guidelines specify dimensions, features, and
capabilities for onboard wheelchairs that will allow passengers with
disabilities to be more safely and comfortably transported aboard airplanes
in flight. In addition, the guidelines include criteria to allow the
onboard wheelchair to fully enter the lavatory in a backward orientation
and be positioned over a closed toilet, and for the lavatory door to be
closed. This feature would afford those passengers who cannot independently
transfer to the toilet to have privacy in performing non-toileting tasks
related to personal hygiene or medical needs. The Board has posed a number
of questions to the public about specific provisions in the guidelines, but
welcomes input on all portions of the document.
As part of a negotiated rulemaking
to improve access for air travelers with disabilities, DOT has put forth
plans to supplement its ACAA regulations and require onboard wheelchairs
with enhanced functionality on aircraft with more than 125 passenger seats.
Public Hearing on Advisory Guidelines for Aircraft Onboard
Wheelchairs
September 12, 2019, 9:30 - 4:00 (ET)
Remote attendance options will be posted.
Access Board Conference Center
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, D.C.
Note: For the comfort of all participants and to
promote a fragrance-free
environment, attendees are requested not to use perfume, cologne, or other
fragrances.
Those who wish to provide testimony at the hearing should
contact Rose Marie Bunales at (202) 272-0006 (voice) or bunales@access-board.gov by September 5,
2019.
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