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Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee (ACAA Advisory Committee)

Overview

On October 5, 2018, President Trump signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (FAA Act), Pub. L. No. 115-254, 132 Stat. 3186 (2018). Section 439 of the FAA Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish an advisory committee to identify and assess barriers to accessible air travel, determine the extent to which DOT is addressing those barriers, recommend improvements, and advise the Secretary on implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The Department of Transportation intends to establish a Federal advisory committee to be known as the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee (ACAA Advisory Committee) to carry out the requirements of Section 439 of the FAA Act.  

ACAA Advisory Committee Docket

ACAA Advisory Committee documents are available on www.regulations.gov. The ACAA Advisory Committee's docket number is DOT-OST-2018-0204. 

ACAA Advisory Committee Charter

The ACAA Advisory Committee’s Charter, drafted in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, sets forth policies for the operation of the advisory committee and is available online here and on the FACA Database.

Committee Status

  • March 2020 Meeting: The first meeting of the ACAA Advisory Committee was held on March 10 and 11, 2020, in Washington, D.C. For more information, click here.
  • On September 20, 2019, the Secretary announced the formation of the ACAA Advisory Committee and the appointment of 19 members to carry out the requirements of Section 439 of the FAA Act. The names of the ACAA Advisory Committee members can be found below and on the Press Release.

Committee Members

The Secretary selected committee members for their expertise as well as their willingness and ability to actively participate in meeting the ACAA Advisory Committee's objective.  The committee members are:

  • Michelle Albert, Interior Technical Fellow, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as representative of aircraft manufacturers. 
  • Zainab Alkebsi, Policy Counsel, National Association of the Deaf, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as representative of national veterans’ organizations representing disabled veterans.
  • Dana Folsom, Corporate Compliance Disability Program Manager, Delta Air Lines, as representative of air carriers.
  • Mark Greig, Vice President of Research and Development, Sunrise Medical, as representative of wheelchair manufacturers.
  • E. Keith Hansen, Vice President, Airports and Government Affairs, Allegiant Air, as representative of air carriers.
  • Doug Lavin, Vice President, North America, International Air Transport Association, as representative of air carriers.
  • Nicholas LiBassi, Vice President, Partnership Expansion, United Spinal Association, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Paige Mazzoni, Chief Executive Officer, Canine Companions for Independence, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Doug Mullen, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Airlines for America, as representative of air carriers.
  • Pablo Nüesch, Deputy General Counsel, Airports Council International – North America, as representative of airport operators. 
  • Ramakant Rambhatla, Vice President of Engineering and Chief Engineer, Invacare Corporation, as representative of wheelchair manufacturers.
  • Gregory Reed, Advisor and Member, Disabled American Veterans, as representative of national veterans’ organizations representing disabled veterans.
  • Lawrence Rolon, Coordinator for Disability Services, Los Angeles World Airports, as representative of airport operators.
  • Kenneth Shiotani, Senior Staff Attorney, National Disability Rights Network, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • James Sinocchi as representative of passengers with disabilities and chair of the ACAA Advisory Committee.
  • Claire Stanley, Advocacy and Outreach Specialist, American Council of the Blind, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Kristin Stephenson, Senior Vice President and Chief Policy and Community Engagement Officer, Muscular Dystrophy Association, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Jo Ann Storie, Senior Vice President of Risk Management, Prospect Airport Services, as representative of contract service providers.

Reports

  • Section 439 of the FAA Act requires the ACAA Advisory Committee to review the current regulations concerning the treatment of air travelers with disabilities and determine the extent to which the programs and activities of the Department are addressing the disability-related access barriers encountered by air travelers with disabilities. No later than fourteen months after the establishment of the committee, the ACAA Advisory Committee must report its assessment and any recommendations to the Secretary. No later than 60 days after receiving the committee’s report, the Secretary must submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a copy of the report and recommendations, including any additional findings and recommendations that the Secretary considers appropriate.
  • Section 438 of the FAA Act requires the ACAA Advisory Committee to assess the current regulations with respect to practices for ticketing, pre-flight seat assignments, and stowing of assistive devices for passengers with disabilities. No later than six months after the first meeting of the ACAA Advisory Committee, the Committee must report its assessment and any recommendations to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress.

 

Last updated: Friday, June 19, 2020