Wheelchair users to benefit further from DOT

In addition, the DOT will allow airlines to choose between stowing wheelchairs in a cabin compartment on new aircraft or strapping them to a row of seats: this option will ensure that two manual, folding wheelchairs can be transported at a time. The new rules are part of the DOT's continuing implementation of the Air Carrier Access Act, which was passed in 1986.
Under the new rule, affected airlines are required within two years to make pages of their websites that contain core travel information and services accessible to persons with disabilities, and to make all of their Web pages accessible within three years. Websites are now further required to meet the standards for accessibility contained in the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines. This requirement applies to US and foreign airlines with websites marketing air transportation to US consumers for travel within, to or from the US.

The rule also requires ticket agents to disclose and offer Web-based discount fares to customers unable to use their sites because of a disability within 180 days after the rule's effective date. Airlines are already required to provide an equivalent service for consumers who are unable to use inaccessible websites. Under the new rule, airlines must also be able to offer an equivalent service to passengers with disabilities who are unable to use their websites, even if the website meets the above-mentioned accessibility standards.
In addition, any automated kiosks installed at US airports for services, which includes the printing of boarding passes and baggage tags, must be accessible to passengers with disabilities until at least 25% of all kiosks at each airport location are accessible. Even if no new kiosks are installed, 25% of kiosks at each airport location must be made accessible to the PRM within a ten year period.

The DOT's wheelchair rule provides airlines with more flexibility because it will now permit an airline to transport wheelchairs by strapping them to seats, in addition to allowing their stowage in a suitable compartment. This counters the 2008 ruling, when airlines were not allowed to employ the seat-strapping method on new aircraft. In that same rule, however, theDOT did allow the use of a seat-strapping method on existing aircraft. Based on a more recent evaluation of the situation, the DOT has subsequently revised its position to also allow the use of seat-strapping on new aircraft, albeit subject to certain conditions. For example, if an airline chooses to use the seat-strapping method to stow a wheelchair, it must transport two wheelchairs in the cabin if requested, unless stowing the second wheelchair would displace other passengers.

Finally, if an airline chooses to use a closet to stow a wheelchair, then it will still be required to stow only one wheelchair in the cabin. However, in this case it must install a sign or placard prominently on the compartment in question, indicating that a wheelchair or other devices are to be stowed in this area, with priority over other items brought on to the aircraft by passengers or crew.