Assistive Technology for Air Travel (ATAT)

Assistive technologies that have to be stored in the baggage areas on board aircraft are often damaged by the time they are returned to the passenger at their destination. Content for a standardized information card and checklist, labeling, handling procedures, and training are needed to improve the process for the storage and handling of mobility technologies that are required for passengers who are not ambulatory. Design guidelines are needed to encourage manufacturers to manufacture and to educate assistive technology providers, suppliers, seating and mobility specialists, and passengers about selecting mobility devices that have features specific for air travel. The features would make the mobility devices easier to handle during air travel and reduce the likelihood of damage.

Persons with mobility impairments who use manual and powered wheelchairs and other assistive technologies must travel with these technologies if they travel by air. Persons with mobility impairments desire to travel for their jobs and to visit family and friends, just like everyone else. Service personnel typically assist non-ambulatory passengers on and off of aircraft. Non-ambulatory passengers currently have to leave their mobility devices at the door of the aircraft, in the bubble area of passenger boarding bridges, when they board aircraft. Baggage handlers who are employed or contracted by the airlines typically move these mobility devices from the bubble area of passenger boarding bridges to the tarmac and then load them into the baggage storage areas of aircraft. Upon arrival, mobility devices have to be removed from the belly of the aircraft and returned to the bubble area of the passenger boarding bridge where the passenger with the mobility impairment can again use their personal assistive technology to get to their next flight or exit the airport terminal.

For efficient and safe handling and storage of many types of assistive technologies (AT) for passengers with mobility impairments (PWMI) on aircraft, the following will be created: a checklist of the dimensional, performance and instructional information to be physically and/or electronically associated with the AT; procedures and training for the handling of AT; labeling and design specifications for AT suitable for transport in commercial aircraft. Create and disseminate information for PWMI.

Title of the standard: Assistive Technology for Air Travel Vol. 1 - Requirements and Test Methods Related to Mobility Devices

• Section 1 Mobility Device Information, Principles and Training for Air Travel
• Section 2 Mobility Device Communication and Procedures Prior to Air Travel
• Section 3 Mobility Device Handling Procedures for Stowage and Transport in Commercial Aircraft
• Section 4 Labeling and Design Requirements for Wheelchairs Designed for Stowage and Transport in Commercial Aircraft.

Interest categories of stakeholders includes Airline Industry Experts, Consumers/Caregivers, Disability Organization Representatives, Government Representatives, Mobility Device Manufacturers, Research & Development Experts, and Test Labs, Testing Assessment, & Clinical Experts.

If you would like more information on how you can participate, please contact the Chair, Peter Axelson.