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Previous Activity of the ACAA Advisory Committee

Overview

Section 439 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (2018 FAA Act) requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish an advisory committee to identify and assess barriers to accessible air travel, determine the extent to which DOT is addressing those barriers, recommend improvements, and advise the Secretary on implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

September 2019 - February 2022

In September 2019, the Department established the ACAA Advisory Committee, approved its charter, and appointed 19 members to serve on the ACAA Advisory Committee for 2-year terms. The Committee held public meetings in March 2020 and September 2021 and submitted a report with a number of recommendations to the Department in February 2022.

Committee Report to the Secretary of Transportation

Past Committee Meetings

Previous Members

  • Michelle Albert, Interior Technical Fellow, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as representative of aircraft manufacturers. 
  • Zainab Alkebsi, Policy Counsel, National Association of the Deaf, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as representative of national veterans’ organizations representing disabled veterans.
  • Dana Folsom, Corporate Compliance Disability Program Manager, Delta Air Lines, as representative of air carriers.
  • Mark Greig, Vice President of Research and Development, Sunrise Medical, as representative of wheelchair manufacturers.
  • E. Keith Hansen, Vice President, Airports and Government Affairs, Allegiant Air, as representative of air carriers.
  • Doug Lavin, Vice President, North America, International Air Transport Association, as representative of air carriers.
  • Nicholas LiBassi, Vice President, Partnership Expansion, United Spinal Association, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Paige Mazzoni, Chief Executive Officer, Canine Companions for Independence, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Paul Melmeyer, Vice President, Public Policy & Advocacy, Muscular Dystrophy Association, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Doug Mullen, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Airlines for America, as representative of air carriers.
  • Pablo Nüesch, Deputy General Counsel, Airports Council International – North America, as representative of airport operators. 
  • Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, American Council of the Blind, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Ramakant Rambhatla, Vice President of Engineering and Chief Engineer, Invacare Corporation, as representative of wheelchair manufacturers.
  • Gregory Reed, Advisor and Member, Disabled American Veterans, as representative of national veterans’ organizations representing disabled veterans.
  • Lawrence Rolon, ADA Coordinator, Ontario International Airport, as representative of airport operators.
  • James Sinocchi as representative of passengers with disabilities and chair of the ACAA Advisory Committee.
  • Claire Stanley, Public Policy Analyst, National Disability Rights Network, as representative of national disability organizations.
  • Jo Ann Storie, Senior Vice President of Risk Management, Prospect Airport Services, as representative of contract service providers.
Last updated: Monday, April 10, 2023