[Nfbmt] A Travel Tip - TSA Cares Program

Tue Nov 26 02:12:04 UTC 2013

Thanks for sending this, I will keep it and make sure that the number I 
have is the same here.

Original message:
> Hello NFB of Montana,

> On our last call, there were questions about the TSA in airports. The
> article below might help; copied from Guide Dogs for the Blind news:
> Best
> George  with Guide Dog Mikey

> A Travel Tip - TSA Cares Program
> By Maurice Bowman with "Daniel"
> With the holidays just around the corner, here is a travel tip submitted by
> GDB Graduate, Maurice Bowman which may be of interest to you!
> Last month, while going through the air port's TSA security clearance
> process with my guide dog, a TSA representative told me about a new service
> that TSA now offers.  Any person with a disability may call TSA 72 hours
> before traveling by air for assistance through the TSA security check point.
> We can now request that a TSA representative be assigned to assist us
> through the TSA security clearance process.  He explained that TSA wants to
> make traveling by air for persons with disabilities an easier process.
> Simply call the number below to schedule, 72 hours in advance, and the TSA
> representative will give you information on getting assistance.  You may
> also ask questions about getting through the TSA check point also by calling
> the phone number below.  In either case, you will talk with a live person to
> help you.  Going through TSA will be faster and much easier for you and for
> those you are traveling with.  The TSA representative will help you clear
> your carry-on bag, quickly help you through the scanner, and will quickly
> clear your guide dog, so you can have a hassle-free travel experience.
> Here is the formal announcement:
> The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the launch of TSA
> Cares today, a new helpline number designed to assist travelers with
> disabilities and medical conditions, prior to getting to the airport.
> Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling
> with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at
> the security checkpoint.
> ~"TSA Cares provides passengers with disabilities and medical needs another
> resource to use before they fly, so they know what to expect when going
> through the screening process," said TSA Administrator John Pistol. "This
> additional level of personal communication helps ensure that even those who
> do not travel often are aware of our screening policies before they arrive
> at the airport."
> Since its inception, TSA has provided information to all travelers through
> its TSA Contact Center and Customer Service Managers in airports nationwide.
> TSA Cares will serve as an additional, dedicated resource for passengers
> with disabilities, medical conditions or other circumstances or their loved
> ones who want to prepare for the screening process prior to flying.
> When a passenger with a disability or medical condition calls TSA Cares, a
> representative will provide assistance, either with information about
> screening that is relevant to the passenger's specific disability or medical
> condition, or the passenger may be referred to disability experts at TSA.
> TSA recommends that passengers call approximately 72 hours ahead of travel
> so that TSA Cares has the opportunity to coordinate checkpoint support with
> a TSA Customer Service Manager located at the airport when necessary.
> Every person and item must be screened before entering the secure area of an
> airport and the manner in which the screening is conducted will depend on
> the passenger's abilities and any specific equipment brought to the security
> checkpoint.
> TSA strives to provide the highest level of security while ensuring that all
> passengers are treated with dignity and respect. The agency works regularly
> with a broad coalition of disability and medical condition advocacy groups
> to help understand their needs and adapt screening procedures accordingly.
> TSA holds quarterly meetings with this coalition to inform them about
> current training and screening procedures used in airports. TSA recently
> hosted a teleconference with members of these groups to announce the
> long-standing plans to implement TSA Cares for travelers and inform them of
> the upcoming launch.
> All travelers may ask to speak to a TSA supervisor if questions about
> screening procedures arise while at the security checkpoint.
> The hours of operation for the TSA Cares helpline are Monday through Friday
> 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays. After hours, travelers can
> find information about traveling with disabilities and medical needs on
> TSA's website. To learn more click here.
> All travelers can contact TSA using Talk to TSA, a web-based tool that
> allows passengers to reach out to an airport Customer Service Manager
> directly, and the TSA Contact Center, 1-866-289-9673 and
> TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov, where travelers can ask questions, provide
> suggestions and file complaints.

> George Kerscher Ph.D.
> -In our Information Age, access to information is a fundamental human right.
> Secretary General, DAISY Consortium
> http://www.daisy.org
> Senior Officer, Accessible Technology Learning Ally originally Recording For
> the Blind & Dyslexic
> http://www.learningally.org
> President, International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF)
> http://www.idpf.org
> Member of the National Museum and Library Services  Board (IMLS)
> http://www.imls.gov
> Chair Steering Council Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), a division of the
> W3C
> http://www.w3c.org/wai
> Phone: +1 406/549-4687
> Cell:+1 406/544-2466
> Email: kerscher at montana.com

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