The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks public comments on a new proposed rule to improve restroom access for passengers with disabilities on single-aisle aircraft with 125 or more seats. The rule is based on negotiated rulemaking undertaken by DOT's Advisory Committee on Accessible Air Transportation, which included aviation industry representatives, disability rights advocates, and other stakeholders.

The proposed regulation addresses lavatory interiors, on-board wheelchairs, and training of flight attendants.

Comments are due by March 2, 2020. 

Read the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and submit a comment.

Stay tuned: In the near future, DOT plans to issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit comment and gather information on the costs and benefits of requiring airlines to make lavatories on new single-aisle aircraft larger, equivalent to that currently found on twin-aisle aircraft.

Wisconsin has a lot to offer in the winter, but not everyone can take advantage of it. However, a collaboration between three organizations want to change that. The La Crosse Area YMCA, the North American Squirrel Association, and Mount La Crosse are joining together to offer adaptive skiing lessons for people with disabilities.

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The U.S. Access Board is undertaking a study that has the potential to advance access to air travel for passengers who use wheelchairs. As directed by Congress, this project will assess the feasibility of equipping passenger planes with restraint systems so that passengers can remain in their wheelchairs on flights. Having to transfer out of wheelchairs makes air travel very difficult, if not impossible, for many people with disabilities.

The Board is conducting this study through the National Academy of Sciences' Transportation Research Board (TRB). TRB has organized a committee of experts to evaluate the feasibility of in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems. Members include experts in aircraft interiors and safety engineering, accessibility, wheelchair design and crashworthiness, airline operations, and other disciplines. Committee members will evaluate the design, engineering, and safety requirements for equipping aircraft with locking or tiedown mechanisms for non-motorized and motorized wheelchairs used as seats. If such restraint systems are found to be feasible, the committee will then assess the wheelchair restraint systems that can be used to accommodate passengers using wheelchairs through all phases of flight, from boarding to deplaning.

The committee will hold its first meeting February 5 – 6, 2020 at the Access Board's conference center. Most sessions will be open to the public and available by web conference. Those attending in person do not need to register in advance, but registration is required (free) to attend online.

Visit TRB's website for further information on this project, the meeting agenda, and the committee.

Questions about the study can be directed to Mario Damiani of the Access Board at damiani@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0050 (v), or (202) 272-0066 (TTY). Inquiries about attending the committee meeting or registering for the web conference should be addressed to Anusha Jayasinghe of TRB at AJayasinghe@nas.edu or (202) 334-2401.

Committee on the Feasibility of Wheelchair Restraint Systems in Passenger Aircraft

• Alan M. Jette [Chair], Emeritus Professor and Dean, Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University; Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences, Institute of Health Professions, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Naomi Armenta, Senior Associate in the Oakland, California office of Nelson Nygaard
• Peter W. Axelson, Founder and Director of Research and Development of Beneficial Designs, Inc.
• Rory A. Cooper, Associate Dean, Distinguished Professor, and FISA Foundation and Paralyzed Veterans of America Professor of Rehabilitation Engineering, School of Public Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
• Karen J. Erazo, retired Manager of Legal Affairs at Sun Country Airlines
• Francis S. Heming, Jr., independent consultant specializing in the testing and certification of aircraft seating systems, including dynamic test planning, implementation, and witnessing.
• Kevin L. Hiatt, specialist in the application of safety management systems in the transportation industry
• Katharine M. Hunter-Zaworski, Associate Professor, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University
• Auturo Jackson, Senior Director for Contracted, Paratransit, and Vanpool for METROLift, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
• Miriam A. Manary, Lead Research Engineer, Biosciences Group, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
• Clinton V. Oster, Jr., Professor Emeritus and former Associate Dean, Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University
• Gary M. Weissel, Founder and Managing Officer of Tronos Aviation Consulting

Inaugural Meeting of the Committee 

February 5 & 6, 2020
Open Sessions:
• February 5, 10:15 – 12:15 (ET) registration link
• February 5, 1:15 – 5:00 (ET) registration link
Access Board Conference Center
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C.
Contact: Anusha Jayasinghe of TRB, AJayasinghe@nas.edu, (202) 334-2401
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.

The Assistive Technology Advisory Council is seeking new members to fill vacancies on their roster. If you are a consumer who uses assistive technology (AT), a family member or guardian representing a person who uses AT, or a professional who works with consumers on AT-related issues, and you are interested in providing guidance and direction related to AT products and services throughout Wisconsin, apply to be a member on the AT Council.

The national Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage Family Caregivers Act (the RAISE Act) became law in January 2018. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop and maintain a national strategy to recognize and support family caregivers, and to organize an Advisory Council to make recommendations. Now, in preparation for the Advisory Council’s initial report to Congress, HHS is providing an opportunity for individuals and organizations to submit information on the challenges faced by caregivers. This information will help guide the development of the national family caregiving strategy. To offer your thoughts, submit this form by February 7, 2020.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)!

The Family Care Medicaid program provides long term care to frail elders and adults with disabilities in Wisconsin.The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced recently the program will be funded through 2024.More than 50,000 people are enrolled in Family Care in the state.

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Today, the ABLE National Resource Center (ABLE NRC) released the new ABLE Employer Toolkit. The toolkit consists of resources for employers to share with employees impacted by the additional and often significant expenses that can be associated with having a disability. Toolkit items are downloadable and free of charge.

Even with a well-paying job, employees who have a disability, or employees who support family members who have a disability, often face significant costs to maintain health, independence and quality of life. ABLE accounts are key to “Achieving a Better Life Experience” for your employees with disabilities and their families. An ABLE account can be used to support your employees’ ability to work and to increase their productivity, which results in a diverse, valued and productive workforce. The ABLE Employer Toolkit can help you understand and integrate ABLE into your employee benefits program to support their success in work and life.

View toolkit