[Wasagdu] Delta Airlines new policy

[Becky Frankeberger]

Forgive the shameless commercial. I knew you all would want to know about
this change. NAGDU will have something a little more meaty then this crap.

Becky

 

ACB Commends Delta for Revising Its Service Animal Policy

Link to Press Release: http://acb.org/delta-policy-revision
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2018 - The American Council of the Blind commends Delta
Airlines for re-examining its recent policy on service animals, relaxing
constraints that negatively impacted travelers with guide dogs. The revised
policy announced today makes changes to a policy released earlier this year
that was intended to reduce the number of fraudulent service and emotional
support animals that have disrupted travel and, in some cases, caused injury
to passengers. 

 

"ACB is pleased to learn that Delta listened to the concerns ACB and our
members raised following the release of their January 18th change in
policy," said Eric Bridges, ACB's executive director. "The new policy
provides a much more workable solution that still allows for the freedom of
travel by passengers using guide dogs."

 

Since its inception, ACB has advocated tirelessly for equal access by
individuals who rely on the use of a guide dog. ACB played an active role in
the passage of the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. Both laws have established the fundamental right
to access in places of public accommodation and across multiple
transportation networks, including all commercial airlines.

 

"We look forward to working with Delta and other airlines to assure that the
skies remain accessible for all travelers, especially those who experience
the freedom that comes through traveling with a guide dog," said Anthony
Stephens, ACB's director of advocacy and governmental affairs. A guide dog
user, Stephens was actively involved in the 2016 Department of
Transportation negotiations tasked with finding a solution to the rise in
service animal fraud.

 

The initial policy change, released January 18th, would have created
multiple barriers to free and independent access to air travel by consumers
with guide dogs. Passengers with service and emotional support animals would
have been required to provide prior notice, and upload relevant documents
affirming the dog's training and vaccination records. The revised guidelines
relax many of these policies for individuals with legitimately trained
service animals, which have already undergone great scrutiny and training
before being released in the community with their handlers. Passengers
traveling with trained service animals will still be required to have their
dogs vaccinated and be able to provide proof of vaccination should issues or
injury arise as a result of the animal.

 

ACB recognizes Delta's desire to assure that in the rare case of injury, the
appropriate documentation can be made available. We thank Delta for
listening to its customers and redrafting a policy that does not
discriminate against travelers who rely on their service dogs to be
independent.

 

The American Council of the Blind is a national membership organization
whose purpose is to work toward independence, security, equality of
opportunity, and improved quality of life for all blind and visually
impaired people. Founded in 1961, ACB's members work through more than 70
state and special-interest affiliates to improve the well-being of all blind
and visually impaired people.

 

 
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