[IABS-Talk] FW: ACAA white cane regulations

Mon Aug 24 13:43:34 UTC 2020

Hello,

The topic of stowing canes and  crutches when flying came up during our last advocacy training. Since this is an important issue, I thought I would send it to our listservs for all. Please see below.

Denise R. Avant, Esq.

President,

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

773-991-8050

Live the life you want.

For more information about NFBI,

Go to www.nfbofillinois.org

From: Walls, Kyle <KWalls at nfb.org> 
Sent: Monday, August 24, 2020 8:32 AM
To: State President, Illinois <davant1958 at gmail.com>
Cc: Flynt, Stephanie <sflynt at nfb.org>; Pare, John <JPare at nfb.org>
Subject: RE: ACAA white cane regulations

Good morning Denise:

The following information is from a Service Manual provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. It deals specifically with the topic of noncollapsible travel canes:

3-3548    STOWAGE OF NONCOLLAPSIBLE FLEXIBLE TRAVEL CANES. The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an order of dismissal to certain complainants against a U.S. air carrier dismissing the complainants’ allegation that the air carrier violated 14 CFR part 382, which prohibits discrimination against qualified handicapped persons. The complainants, who are legally blind, alleged that the carrier’s failure to allow them to stow their long white flexible canes at their seat constituted unlawful discrimination under DOT rules.

A.    Current DOT Rules. The current rules require air carriers to allow stowage of flexible canes near passengers in a manner consistent with FAA safety regulations.

B.    Part 121 <javascript:openPage('/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFar.nsf/FARSBySect?OpenView&count=-1&RestrictToCategory=Part+121','')>  Requirements. Part 121 <javascript:openPage('/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFar.nsf/FARSBySect?OpenView&count=-1&RestrictToCategory=Part+121','')>  requires all carry-on items, other than articles of loose clothing, to be stowed in a suitable closet, baggage, or cargo stowage compartment, including an overhead rack having doors or restraints, or under a passenger seat that is fitted with a means to prevent stowed articles from sliding forward in the passenger compartment or sideward into the aisle. In addition, part 121 <javascript:openPage('/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFar.nsf/FARSBySect?OpenView&count=-1&RestrictToCategory=Part+121','')>  allows flexible travel canes to be stowed:

1)    Laterally under two or more connected passenger seats in the same row, if the cane does not protrude into an aisle and is flat on the floor.

2)    Longitudinally between a nonemergency exit window seat and the fuselage, if the cane is flat on the floor.

3)    Longitudinally beneath any two nonemergency exit row window seats, if the cane is flat on the floor.

4)    In accordance with any other method the Administrator approves.

As for crutches and support canes, I couldn’t find anything in the manual mentioned above, but I did find mention of them on the Department of Transportation’s website at https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/wheelchairs-and-other-assistive-devices. 

If there’s anything else that you need, just let me know.

Thanks,

Kyle

Kyle Walls

Research and Regulatory Specialist

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

410-659-9314, extension 2223 | kwalls at nfb.org <mailto:kwalls at nfb.org>  

 <https://nfb.org/> 

                          <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>      <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>      <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind> 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

From: Pare, John 
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2020 1:58 PM
To: Walls, Kyle <KWalls at nfb.org>
Cc: State President, Illinois <davant1958 at gmail.com>; Flynt, Stephanie <sflynt at nfb.org>
Subject: ACAA white cane regulations 

Kyle:

Would you please send Denise the white cane regulatory summary we have sent to others. I am referring to the item we send to folks to potentially carry with them on flights.

Also, would you please look for a similar item for crutches and walking support canes. Are their guidelines as to where these items may be stored in the cabin?

John

John G. Paré Jr. 

Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 659-9314, extension 2218 | Jpare at nfb.org <mailto:Jpare at nfb.org>  

 <https://nfb.org/> 

                          <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>      <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>      <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind> 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

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