United Spinal To Host Free Webinar on Improving Air Travel for Wheelchair Users

NEW YORK, March 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association will host a free webinar on March 29^th that highlights solutions for wheelchair users who have encountered problems at airports, so they can be better equipped to avoid future travel woes.

How to Improve Air Travel for Wheelchair Users––March 29, 2018, 3:00PM – 4:00PM EDT, will discuss important new bills in both the House and Senate that will amend The Air Carrier Access Act, and hear from Congressional staff handling these bills.

The Air Carrier Access Act, which became law in 1986, prohibits commercial airlines from discriminating against passengers with disabilities.

Attendees will also learn how to take back their air travel rights and about advocacy opportunities throughout the year, including Roll on Capitol Hill 2018 that will empower them to become stronger self-advocates.

Despite federal law to ensure people with disabilities don't face barriers when they fly, wheelchairs are often still damaged or destroyed. Also, individuals continue to sustain bodily injuries in the boarding and deplaning process.

The Air Carrier Access Amendments Act, which United Spinal supports, will be a topic covered during the webinar. It will:

• Increase penalties for damaged wheelchairs and allow air travelers to sue in court to recover damages.
• Ensure higher standards for accessibility, safety and airport / airline employee training.
• Help create a passenger with disabilities bill of rights along with a Federal advisory committee on the air travel needs of passengers with disabilities.

Webinar presenters include Meghan Ladwig, Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Peter La Fountain, Legislative Assistant and Elyssa Malin, Legislative Assistant, Office of Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI); and Alexandra Bennewith, MPA, Vice President, Government Relations, United Spinal Association.

For more information on how you can support United Spinal advocacy efforts to improve air travel for wheelchair users, visit https://unitedspinal.org/air-travel-rights.

About United Spinal Association

United Spinal is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.

Media contact:
Ahvi Spindell
Spindell Media Relations, LLC
United Spinal Association
(212) 580-4567
[email protected]
Twitter @ahvispin

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

James Weisman
ProfNet - http://www.profnetconnect.com/jim_weisman/

SOURCE United Spinal Association