Jackson Heights, NY–Must I provide advance notice of my disability to my airline? Will my airline’s staff provide assistance to me if I need it to reach my aircraft seat? Since I use a power-operated wheelchair each day, will I be able to transport it to my destination on my aircraft?

With the busy holiday travel season fast approaching, Americans will travel on commercial aircraft across the country in record numbers to visit loved ones. Americans with disabilities will be among them—some traveling for the first time on a commercial airline. To empower travelers with disabilities, United Spinal Association offers Accessible Air Travel: A Guide for People with Disabilities. This pamphlet can be read or downloaded free of charge at http://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/accessible_air_travel.pdf.
Persons interested in purchasing Accessible Air Travel should call our publications ordering number, 800- 444- 0120.

The Spanish language version of this pamphlet, Transporte aereo accesible, is also available from United Spinal Association as a free download at http://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/avion_accesibles.pdf, or for purchase.

Accessible Air Travel is organized in a question and answer format that covers the major provisions of the federal Air Carrier Access Act, as amended, and its implementing regulations. Subjects covered are making reservations, advance notice requirements, seating assignments, security screening, airline liability for adaptive equipment, airport accessibility, boarding assistance, aircraft accessibility, equipment storage, and service accommodations. This 22 page pamphlet also contains important information about complaint procedures for resolving a violation at the airport by a designated airline representative, or more formally in writing to the U.S. Department of Transportation.