ALS United Celebrates New FAA Rules to Make Travel More Accessible

ALS United thanks Congress for passing the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, which includes important provisions to improve accessibility in air travel. These changes come after years of work by ALS advocates from across the country to highlight the struggles they face when traveling, particularly those who use wheelchairs.

This legislation includes many changes that ALS patients, caregivers, and other air travel passengers with disabilities have advocated for many years, including a much-needed study into safe and secure in-cabin wheelchair tie-down systems, new training requirements for assisting passengers with mobility issues, improving the complaint process at the Department of Transportation (DOT), better access to seating accommodations, and improved access to airline websites, applications, and other communications.

“We are grateful that Congress has listened to the concerns from people with ALS and other disability groups to take serious action to improve accessibility in travel,” said ALS United Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Jeff Cline. “This legislation shows the power of direct advocacy, and we thank the many ALS United Mid-Atlantic patients and caregivers who have shared their stories over the years who made this possible.”

The FAA Reauthorization Bill is evidence of the progress that is possible when advocates unite across common purpose. ALS United Mid-Atlantic is committed to working with allies in the disability community, as well as partners in the medical community, to build on this success to improve access in all areas of our society.

Marc Schefsky used his personal ALS story to make an impact on Capitol Hill this April, including a visit with his Congressman, Dan Meuser.

“Making travel accessible is about freedom and dignity,” said Marc Schefsky, a person with ALS from Hughesville, PA. “This legislation shows that our advocacy makes an impact, and it is why we choose to continue to work with ALS United Mid-Atlantic to pass further legislation to improve quality of life for those living with ALS or other disabilities.”

To learn more about ALS, becoming an ALS advocate, and the mission of ALS United Mid-Atlantic, visit www.alsmidatlantic.org.