The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued two proposed rules for public comment on air travel and accessibility for passenger with disabilities. In early January, it proposed new requirements designed to facilitate access to lavatories for passengers using onboard wheelchairs. These include provisions for assist handles, lower door sills, attendant call buttons, and controls and faucets that are easier to use. The rule would not increase the size of lavatories.

The proposed rule also includes performance standards for onboard wheelchairs which are used to provide access to aircraft lavatories. The Board is developing advisory technical guidelines for onboard wheelchairs, which it previously released for comment, that DOT's rule may reference as a voluntary baseline for meeting the proposed performance criteria.

DOT's rule also would require training of flight attendants on assisting passengers with disabilities, and the posting of information on the access features of a plane's lavatory. The proposed rule is posted on regulations.gov. For further information, contact Robert Gorman of DOT's Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings at (202) 366-9342 or robert.gorman@dot.gov.

Proposed Rule on Service Animals on Aircraft
In a separate rulemaking, DOT has proposed changes to provisions in its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)regulations that address service animals in air travel. Under the proposed revisions, which are open for comment, only dogs individually trained as service animals would be recognized as service animals by ACAA regulations. Other animals, including emotional support animals, would not. In addition, airlines would be able to require passengers travelling with service animals to check in at least one hour earlier than the general boarding deadline. It also would allow airlines to require documentation of a service animal's abilities and health.

The proposed rule is available for comment until April 6, 2020 on regulations.gov. For further information, visit DOT's website or contact Maegan Johnson of DOT's Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings at (202) 366-9342 or maegan.johnson@dot.gov.