Overview of the Air Carrier Access Act

Abstract

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), 49 U.S.C. Section 41705, prohibits discrimination by air carriers against individuals with disabilities. Public attention regarding an airplane passenger who traveled while infected with Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) in 2007 raised questions regarding the ACAA's requirements and guarantees. Additionally, public concern about the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) outbreak may increase congressional interest in air travel regulations. This report briefly discusses the ACAA's statutory provisions, accompanying regulations, relevant judicial opinions, and legislation in the 110th Congress. The report is divided into the following sections: Background; The Nondiscrimination Requirement and Exceptions; Exceptions; Impacted Air Carriers; Application in the Context of Communicable Diseases; Accessibility Requirements for Qualified Individuals; Aircraft Accessibility; Attendants, Equipment, and Service Animals; Seat Assignments, Boarding and Deplaning Assistance, and Advance Notice; Security Screening; Enforcement; and Legislation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 19, 2009
Accession Number
ADA501178

Entities

People

  • Carol J. Toland

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Transportation
  • Aircrafts
  • Airplanes
  • Assistive Technologies
  • Civil Rights
  • Congress
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Government (Foreign)
  • Governments
  • Health
  • Law
  • Medical Personnel
  • Passenger Aircraft
  • Passengers
  • Public Health
  • Transportation
  • Tuberculosis

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Infectious Disease/Epidemiology