[Travelandtourism] FYI, FROM THE WHITEHOUSE

Mon Jan 30 23:34:56 UTC 2012

Peter Donahue, please make sure this information in listed on our website.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

For daily updates read our blog at
http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com

> From: braille at satx.rr.com
> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:27:54 -0600
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] FYI, FROM THE WHITEHOUSE
> 
> Hello Stephanie and everyone,
> 
> 	Very good information. Thank you for posting.
> 
> Mary Donahue
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of STEPHANIELSCOTT at aol.com
> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 9:32 AM
> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Travelandtourism] FYI, FROM THE WHITEHOUSE
> 
> TSA Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities
>  
> Please see the below links and press release regarding a new service from the TSA for travel.
>  
> _http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2011/1222.shtm_
> (http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2011/1222.shtm) 
>  
> _http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicalneeds/tsa_cares.
> shtm_
> (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicalneeds/tsa_cares.shtm) 
>  
> 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 Pistole. “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. 
>  
> 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_
> (mailto:TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov) , where  travelers can ask questions, provide suggestions and file complaints. Travelers  who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or  can e-mail _TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov_ (mailto:TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov) 
>  
>  Stay Connected
>  
> _______________________________________________
> Travelandtourism mailing list
> Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Travelandtourism:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/braille%40satx.rr.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Travelandtourism mailing list
> Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Travelandtourism:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com