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Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee (ACAA Advisory Committee)

Overview

In September 2019, the Department established the ACAA Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary of Transportation on issues related to the air travel needs of passengers with disabilities. The ACAA Advisory Committee is tasked with: assessing the existing and emerging disability-related access barriers for passengers with disabilities; evaluating the extent to which the Department’s programs and activities are eliminating disability-related access barriers; and describing improvements related to the air travel experience of passengers with disabilities.

ACAA Advisory Committee Docket

ACAA Advisory Committee Charter

  • The ACAA Advisory Committee’s Charter, drafted in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, sets forth policies for the operation of the advisory committee and is available online here and on the FACA Database.

Committee Status

The ACAA Advisory Committee was established for a five-year period pursuant to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and was extended until September 30, 2028 by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

Committee Members

  • Zainab Alkebsi, Deaf Equality, as representative of national disability organizations
  • Heather Ansley, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as co-chair and representative of national veterans organization representing disabled veterans 
  • Chris Brown, National Air Carrier Association, as representative of air carriers 
  • Amy Claire Brusch, Airports Council International - North America, as representative of airport operators 
  • Albert Elia, National Federation of the Blind, as representative of national disability organizations
  • Michele Erwin, All Wheels Up, as representative of national disability organizations 
  • Grace Fisher, as a representative of passengers with disabilities
  • Mark Greig, Sunrise Medical, as representative of wheelchair manufacturers 
  • Graham Keithley, Airlines for America, as representative of air carriers 
  • Roland Mair, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as representative of aircraft manufacturers 
  • Paige Mazzoni, Canine Companions, as representative of national disability organizations 
  • William McCabe, K9 for Warriors, as representative of national disability organizations
  • Sheila O’Brien, Assistance Dogs International North America, as representative of national disability organizations 
  • Nobuyo Reinsch, Regional Airline Association, as representative of air carriers 
  • Linda Ristagno, International Air Transport Association, as co-chair and representative of air carriers 
  • Pierre-Antoine Senes, Airbus, as representative of aircraft manufacturers 
  • Neil Snyder, Hearing Loss Association of America, as representative of national disability organizations 
  • Jo Ann Storie, Prospect Airport Services, Inc., as representative of contract service providers 
  • Isaiah Wilson, Service Employees International Union, as representative of labor organizations
    representing airport workers
  • Christopher Witkowski, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, as representative of flight attendants

Reports

Section 439 of the FAA Act requires the ACAA Advisory Committee to review the current regulations concerning the treatment of air travelers with disabilities and determine the extent to which the programs and activities of the Department are addressing the disability-related access barriers encountered by air travelers with disabilities. No later than fourteen months after the establishment of the committee, the ACAA Advisory Committee must report its assessment and any recommendations to the Secretary. No later than 60 days after receiving the committee’s report, the Secretary must submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a copy of the report and recommendations, including any additional findings and recommendations that the Secretary considers appropriate.

Section 438 of the FAA Act requires the ACAA Advisory Committee to assess the current regulations with respect to practices for ticketing, pre-flight seat assignments, and stowing of assistive devices for passengers with disabilities. No later than six months after the first meeting of the ACAA Advisory Committee, the Committee must report its assessment and any recommendations to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress.

Previous Committee Activity

The Committee held its first public meeting in March 2020 and its second public meeting in September 2021. The Committee submitted its Final Report to the Department in February 2022. Click here for more information regarding previous activities of the ACAA Advisory Committee.

Last updated: Thursday, December 19, 2024