Paralyzed Veterans of America Expresses Grave Concerns for Disabled Air Travelers

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) members have been on Capitol Hill to discuss with Congressional members the organization's 2017 legislative priorities.  This advocacy effort included educating lawmakers on the damage that people with disabilities and their wheelchairs encounter on a regular basis during air travel. Paralyzed Veterans' broader efforts on this initiative were challenged, as the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it will delay by one year the implementation of a rule that would require large domestic airlines to track and report information about wheelchairs and scooters.

"Paralyzed Veterans of America has grave concerns over the delay of this key component to providing disabled travelers with basic civil rights," said Executive Director Sherman Gillums. "Our members are tired of incurring damage to their persons and wheelchairs when they travel by air, only to be caught in a web of inconvenient reporting and bureaucracy that results in little to no restitution. The information this new reporting will track plays an important role in protecting the health of our members and identifying additional training needed across the air travel industry."

As originally published, airlines would be required to provide DOT with information on the total number of wheelchairs and scooters they enplane on a monthly basis for flights taking place on or after January 1, 2018. Airlines would also need to report how many of those wheelchairs and scooters were "mishandled." Paralyzed Veterans originally submitted comments in response to DOT's proposed rule on this issue in 2011.

DOT took this action in response to a request from airlines to delay the implementation of the regulation in the spirit of a memorandum issued by the White House Chief of Staff on January 20. In part, that memorandum directed agencies to delay for 60 days the effective date of published regulations that had not yet taken effect.

"This memorandum was not specifically directed at this type of final rule, which had already been under consideration for several years, and became effective in December 2016," continued Gillums. "At the very least, DOT should have formally requested comments from all stakeholders prior to granting this extension that only further delays the collection of this critical information."

Paralyzed Veterans will continue to raise our concerns about DOT's actions on this and other regulatory matters impacting veterans with disabilities in air travel.

Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For 70 years, we have ensured that veterans have received the benefits earned through their service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.

As a partner for life, Paralyzed Veterans also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation and advocates for veterans and all people with disabilities. With more than 70 offices and 34 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans serves veterans, their families and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. (pva.org)

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SOURCE Paralyzed Veterans of America