WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Rep. Greg Stanton and Dina Titus of Nevada introduced the Working to Help Ensure Equity for Lithium-ion-powered Chairs (WHEELChairs) on Airplanes Act to prevent passengers with disabilities from being erroneously and arbitrarily denied boarding.
The WHEELChairs on Airplanes Act would codify current federal rules into statue and allow wheelchairs and mobility devices powered by lithium-ion batteries on flights—and would block airlines from adopting policies that are more restrictive than the Federal Aviation Administration’s. Although the FAA has determined that wheelchairs containing lithium-ion batteries are safe for air travel, passengers with disabilities continue to face horrendous flying experiences because of more strict airline restrictions on their batteries or as airlines incorrectly and inconsistently enforce FAA rules.
Similar legislation was introduced last Congress by now-retired Rep. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, whose own experiences using a wheelchair during air travel led him to push for protecting the rights of passengers with disabilities.
“Americans with disabilities should have confidence that when they purchase a ticket, airlines will follow federal rules. Arbitrarily denying disabled passengers boarding is wrong, plain and simple,” Stanton said. “This legislation will make sure disabled passengers can fly safely and with dignity.”
“Barring anyone from boarding an airplane because they use a wheelchair or mobility aid is unacceptable, and we can take action to prevent it from happening,” Titus said. “Expanding air travel safety and access is only common sense, and my legislation’s simple fix would make a huge difference for travelers with disabilities.”
This legislation is supported by Paralyzed Veterans of America.