DOT HOLDS SECOND NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING ACCESS COMMITTEE MEETING
July 10, 2016
Following the initial meeting of the DOT Negotiated Rulemaking Accessible Air Transportation Advisory Committee (ACCESS) in May, the DOT ACCESS Committee convened a second time on June 14-15, 2016 to discuss several topics including the identification of key issues related to the definition of “service animals,” and the appropriate role of such animals in assisting passengers with disabilities on aircraft. Such issues included whether disability mitigation training should be required for service animals on board aircraft as a condition of access; whether rules related to the admission of service animals on board should distinguish between psychiatric service animals and other service animals, and whether requirements related to emotional support animals should be considered separately from those in effect for service animals; what and whether some, but not all types of species should be allowed on board as service animals; and whether carriers should require documentation for service animals, and if so, what documentation should be required. The ACCESS Committee also discussed the accessibility of in-flight entertainment and communications as well as the feasibility of requiring accessible lavatories on some single aisle aircraft. Working Groups focusing on these issues will be gathering data and information from airlines and trade associations to report back to the ACCESS Committee at the next plenary meeting in July.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).