[blindlaw] ADA and Air Travel

Wed Dec 2 13:22:57 UTC 2009

Hi Patrick 
I just returned back from India, and I can give you the international
view on this matter. 
The airlines are supposed to know about your travel plans. I got
assistance getting to the security points and beyond. At the same time
in London I was told something interesting. When we purchase the ticket
we can select our meals and the seat in advance. We need to inform about
needing assistance. Under the disability we could say (wheelchair R,)
meaning we just need assistance with getting from point to point. If we
choose (wheelchair S) it will mean that we need a wheelchair and we will
need assistance if aircraft is reached by climbing steps. 
TSA is not very helpful in working with blind passengers. One security
guard snatched my passport and ticket out of my hand without asking or
informing me about it. Of course, I screamed and then she asked by looks
from a fellow passenger. I gave her some harsh words and she left. 
Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Information & Referral unit 
Department of Health & human services 
401 Hungerford Drive (1st floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
Phone 240-777-1245 (info line) 
240-777-1556 (personal line) 
Fax: 240-777-4636 
TTY: 240-777-1295 

Office hours 8:30 am to 5:00 pm 

Languages English, Hindi, Urdu 

This message may contain protected health information or other
information that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient, please contact the sender by return mail and destroy
any copies of this material. 

Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of stiehm.law
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 3:58 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Cc: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] ADA and Air Travel

In addition to the airlines, I have recently become curious as to what
if
any, accommodations for the TSA makes with respect to disabled people
going through security and being picked up by somebody at the gate at
the
terminal at the other end of the flight. For example, do they permit a
blind person who is traveling alone to be accompanied through security,
down to the airline check-in counter at the gate by a non-ticketed
person.

At the other end, is a non-ticketed person permitted through security to
go to the gate to meet a blind person flying alone?

If TSA does not provide for such accommodations do the airlines take it
on themselves to provide this service?

Has anybody had any experience in this regard? Is the accommodation, if
any, voluntary on the part of the TSA and/or the airlines or is it
governed by regulation? 

Patrick H. Stiehm
Stiehm Law Office
Alexandria, VA 22309
703-360-1089 (Voice)
703-935-8266 (Fax)

 Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:30:37 -0800 "Russell J. Thomas, Jr."
<rthomas at rjtlawfirm.com> writes:
> Off the top of my head, and without any new research, the only case 
> I
> remember is a case challenging the accessibility of airline websites 
> with
> respect to attempting to make reservations and ordering tickets on 
> line. 
> 
> I also think that there are regulations on the subject, especially 
> dealing
> with how disabled passengers are to be treated (or perhaps on some 
> occasions
> mistreated). 
> 
> I often thought it would be a good idea for the NFB to put together 
> a short
> guide book concerning travel, including air travel, based upon 
> experiences
> of NFB members, to be used as a reference guide for blind people who 
> use air
> travel.  Certainly things have changed since 911--some changes for 
> the good,
> and others not so good.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Respectfully,
> 
>  
> 
> Russell J. Thomas, Jr.
> 
> THOMAS & ASSOCIATES
> 
> www.californiaemployersattorneys.com
> 
>  
> 
> Orange County Office                      
> 
> 4121 Westerly Place, Suite 101
> 
> Newport Beach, California 92660                             
> 
> T: (949) 752-0101                             
> 
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> 
> M: (949) 466-7238
> 
>  
> 
> Beverly Hills Office
> 
> 9107 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 450
> 
> Beverly Hills, California 90210 
> 
> T: (310) 461-3561
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org 
> [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of James Weisberg
> Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:01 AM
> To: 'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'
> Subject: [blindlaw] ADA and Air Travel
> 
> Hi Folks:
> 
>  
> 
> Anyone on the lists have experience or knowledge regarding the ADA 
> and suits
> against air carriers for violations available for quick consult?  
> Thanks.
> 
>  
> 
> James W. Weisberg, Esq.
> 
> Law Office of J. William Weisberg
> 
> 299 South Patencio Road #3
> 
> Palm Springs, California  92262
> 
> V:  916.425.1010
> 
> F:  916.374.7667
> 
> E-Mail:  jimi-law at dc.rr.com 
> 
> Admitted in Wisconsin
> 
> Nationwide Practice Limited to Immigration Removal Defense & Civil 
> Rights
> Advocacy for Children with Diabetes 
> 
> This message contains information which may be confidential and 
> privileged.
> Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive for the 
> addressee),
> you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the message or any 
> information
> contained in this message. If you have received this message in 
> error,
> please advise the sender by reply e-mail and delete the message from 
> your
> system.
> 
> This exchange of information does not create an attorney-client 
> relationship
> nor does it constitute legal advice.  The Law Office of J. William 
> Weisberg
> expects the recipient will independently evaluate this information 
> in
> accordance with this disclaimer.
> 
>  
> 
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