U.S. Access Board launches study to assess feasibility of equipping aircraft with wheelchair restraint systems
Post Date: January 22, 2020
WASHINGTON (January 22, 2020) — PVA is pleased with the launch of the U.S. Access Board’s study to assess the feasibility of equipping aircraft with restraint systems so that passengers who use wheelchairs can remain in them while in-flight. The Board announced in October 2019 that it would conduct a study.
The U.S. Access Board is carrying out this study through the National Academy of Sciences’ Transportation Research Board (TRB). TRB organized a team of experts to serve on the Committee on the Feasibility of Wheelchair Restraint Systems in Passenger Aircraft for the study’s evaluation. PVA members Peter W. Axelson and Dr. Rory A. Cooper were both appointed to serve on the Committee.
“We appreciate that the U.S. Access Board is conducting this study, which was required under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018,” said Carl Blake, Paralyzed Veterans of America's executive director. “During air travel, catastrophically disabled veterans and others with mobility impairments have to transfer from their wheelchairs which causes serious risk of injuries and limits their freedom. Passengers with disabilities also frequently have their wheelchairs damaged or mishandled while being stowed in the aircraft cargo hold. We look forward to the results of the U.S. Access Board’s study, which has the potential to be life-changing for airline passengers who use wheelchairs. We thank PVA members Peter W. Axelson and Dr. Rory A. Cooper, who are both experts in their fields, for serving on the Committee.”
Visit pva.org/travel to learn more about PVA’s work on accessible air travel.
