Date: Thursday, September 30, 2021
Category: Standards News
RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, has published the new AT-1 Standard for Assistive Technology for Air Travel. This standard specifies requirements and test methods for efficient and safe handling and storage of many different types of assistive technologies (AT) for passengers with mobility impairments on aircraft. Section 4 of the AT-1 Standard provides design and labeling specifications that will make it easier to handle a mobility device during air travel and reduce its likelihood of damage. This section also provides specifications for an air travel configuration card to be attached to the mobility device during travel. The card visually communicates how to configure the mobility device for air travel. It is recommended that every mobility device user create an air travel configuration card specific to their existing device. The card should be visible and attached to the mobility device when it is handed over to the air carrier for stowage in the aircraft. This will assist the air carrier with handling the mobility device, reducing the potential for damage during air travel.
Section 2 will define the information needed by air carriers about their passengers’ mobility devices prior to air travel and the information that passengers who use mobility devices need prior to air travel. Section 3 will cover handling procedures for mobility devices to be stowed and transported in commercial aircraft. This section is in the pre-ballot stage.
This standard was developed by the RESNA Standards Committee on Assistive Technology for Air Travel and is available for purchase from RESNA. The cost is $575. The Annex B air travel configuration card specifications are available separately for $125.
“Many mobility device users travel by air, but are discouraged from doing so because of the high incidence of damage that presently occurs to mobility devices during air travel. Having the ability to select design features specific for air travel will help reduce damage to their mobility devices,” explains Peter Axelson, Chair of the RESNA ATAT Committee.
RESNA’s Assistive Technology Standards are approved for publication as American National Standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ensuring that the standards development process meets the Institute’s essential requirements for openness, balance, consensus and due process.
In addition to RESNA AT-1:2021 for Assistive Technology for Air Travel, RESNA also offers standards on wheelchairs (including scooters), wheelchairs and transportation, wheelchair related seating, support surfaces, cognitive accessibility and adaptive sports equipment. Standards are available for purchase on the RESNA website at www.resna.org/at-standards.
For more information on the work of the Standards Committee on Assistive Technology for Air Travel, please visit https://www.resna.org/AT-Standards/Assistive-Technology-for-Air-Travel-ATAT.