In many roles, especially leadership, air travel is critical to building professional connections both nationally and around the world. However, according to a recent white paper from the SHRM Foundation’s Employment Capability Initiative, employees who use wheelchairs face many challenges, including the potential for wheelchairs and scooters to be lost, damaged, or even destroyed during airline travel. He says he is facing it. The white paper says the airline industry has responded to these concerns and regulations have been tightened, but challenges remain for wheelchair users traveling by air.
Wheelchair damage and destruction
In 2022, the 10 largest U.S. airlines will lose or damage 1.62% of their wheelchairs and scooters, or about 1,008 units each month, according to a report by the Aviation Consumer Protection Bureau, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). It is said that it was destroyed.
Last year, 11,527 wheelchairs and scooters were damaged or destroyed by commercial airlines, but this number is believed to be a significant underestimate due to the administrative burden of insurance claims placed on wheelchair users. Masu.
Such harm “not only undermines the dignity and independence of wheelchair users, but also reduces their labor force participation and productivity,” the SHRM Foundation’s white paper states.
A 2024 study by the Century Foundation found that approximately 70% of travelers with disabilities “have given up air travel in previous years due to accessibility concerns.”
Reasons included concerns such as:
Wheelchair handling. Not having access to a toilet on board. Lack of proper training for some airline staff and contractors.
Meanwhile, the DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates that 26% of business trips are more than 250 miles, and those trips are often made by plane.
Companies often absorb the cost of repairing or short-term rental of wheelchairs, but this unexpected expense can put a strain on budgets, the white paper said.
Lack of reliable and safe mobility is also one of the reasons why more people with disabilities are not in leadership roles, the white paper says. It’s getting quite cold. ”
Tightening regulations for airlines
Airlines face additional regulations to improve access for travelers who use wheelchairs. In July 2023, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced a rule requiring new single-aisle aircraft with at least 125 seats to have accessible restrooms. The at least one accessible restroom requirement applies to aircraft ordered within 10 years or delivered 12 years after this rule takes effect this fall, except for future aircraft models that must comply within one year. be done.
The white paper also noted that President Joe Biden signed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 on May 16, extending FAA authority and funding through 2028. This law, which had bipartisan support, was one of the most significant efforts of the United States. According to the white paper, Congress aims to protect the rights of disabled travelers over a decade.
This law includes a number of provisions regarding accessible air travel, including:
A new Airport Accessibility Grant Program to make airport facilities more accessible. A requirement that the FAA study aircraft evacuations and that a panel of experts assess gaps in current standards and procedures and make recommendations. The FAA must initiate regulations regarding recommendations that the FAA Administrator deems appropriate. The MOBILE Act requires airlines and foreign carriers to publicly disclose information related to power wheelchairs, including aircraft cargo hold dimensions, and to provide refunds if passengers are unable to fly for the following reasons: If your wheelchair no longer fits in the cargo hold, take steps to make a wheelchair seat available on board. Requirement for the Secretary of Transportation to establish an optional known service animal travel pilot program. Requirements for airlines to provide information on their websites. Rights and responsibilities of both airlines and passengers regarding the availability of onboard wheelchairs. Requirement for the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations ensuring access to airport, foreign airline, or domestic airline customer websites, applications, and kiosks. A requirement that DOT issue an annual report on how quickly, effectively, and efficiently it receives, addresses, and resolves consumer complaints related to disabled travel. The ability of passengers with disabilities to request seats to accommodate their disability-related needs. Close to a toilet, sitting with a companion or assistant, or having more legroom. Airline staff should be trained to safely store wheelchairs and scooters to avoid leaving disabled passengers with damaged or broken mobility aids.
“Accessible air travel provides people with disabilities with the freedom to travel without undue hardship, enabling them and their employers to optimize their professional trajectories,” the white paper states. “Eliminating scooters and wheelchairs alone can counteract the business strain that professionals absorb in the form of lost productivity when professionals are taken away from their careers and companies absorb lost productivity when employee mobility is disrupted. Masu.”
