Baldwin, Duckworth Lead Bill to Protect and Expand the Rights of Airplane Passengers with Disabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) are introducing the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act , a bill to protect and expand the rights of airplane passengers with disabilities and improve air travel safety. Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV-01) and Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Every American deserves to be treated with dignity and feel safe when they are traveling, but for far too long, passengers with disabilities, including our veterans, have been left behind. I have heard firsthand from Wisconsinites who’ve had their wheelchairs – the tool that lets them live a free and independent life – damaged by airlines, and it’s simply unacceptable,” said Senator Baldwin. “Our bill will ensure every American, no matter their ability, gets the respect they deserve when traveling.” “No traveler should face barriers while traveling because of their disability,” said Senator Duckworth. “I hear so many frustrating stories from those who have experienced their wheelchair getting damaged, assistance being delayed and their needs for onboard accommodations just outright ignored—and it has to stop. Our legislation would help protect the rights of passengers with disabilities and provide them with the support they need when airlines fall short.” “People with disabilities shouldn't have to face extra obstacles when they travel,” said Rep. Titus. “They deserve equal access to our airports and airplanes. This legislation will expand their rights and safety while making air travel more convenient and accommodating for all.” “This legislation protects the rights of the flying public with disabilities and will improve overall safety for passengers,” said Rep. Cohen . “As a polio survivor with post-polio syndrome, I am proud to support legislation that seeks to make travel more accommodating for those living with disabilities.” For over 40 years, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) has prohibited discrimination based on disability in air travel. Despite this progress, too many travelers with disabilities encounter significant barriers, such as damaged assistive devices and wheelchairs, delayed assistance, unclear communications, and a lack of onboard accommodations. The Air Carrier Access Amendments Act will protect and expand the rights of air passengers with disabilities and improve air travel safety by: Requiring the Secretary of Transportation to assess civil penalties for Air Carrier Access Act violations and refer patterns of discrimination to the Department of Justice; Granting individuals with disabilities a private right of action in civil court; and Expressing a sense of Congress that legislation is necessary to ensure that individuals with disabilities have adequate remedies available when air carriers violate the ACAA. Senator Baldwin has long been a leading advocate for passengers with disabilities. In 2024, Baldwin successfully fought to include key provisions in the bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill to ensure airplanes are designed to accommodate people with disabilities. The Air Carrier Access Amendments Act is also co-sponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The legislation is supported by Paralyzed Veterans of America, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACI Alliance), Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), American Legion, I AM ALS, American Council of the Blind, Cure SMA, United Spinal Association, Periodic Paralysis Association, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Student Veterans of America (SVA), The Arc, Epilepsy Foundation of America, and Hearing Loss Association of America. “Paralyzed Veterans of America has championed safe and accessible air travel for decades, fighting for exactly the reform reflected in the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act. Passengers with disabilities, especially our nation’s catastrophically disabled veterans, deserve to fly safely and with dignity. Stronger penalties, real enforcement, and a private right of action are precisely what it takes to turn civil rights protections into reality. This bill meets the standard our community has fought for, and PVA is fully committed to working with Sen. Baldwin to see it become law,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer, Paralyzed Veterans of America. “The Muscular Dystrophy Association thanks Senator Baldwin for her leadership on improving the air travel experience for passengers with disabilities. While the Air Carrier Access Act turns 40 this year, passengers with neuromuscular diseases continue to experience significant barriers to air travel, including damaged wheelchairs, physical harm, and inadequate assistance. Until passengers using wheelchairs can fly from the safety and comfort of their mobility devices, more needs to be done to ensure the neuromuscular disease community can fully exercise their rights under the law, which is why MDA proudly supports the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act,” said Sharon Hesterlee, PhD, President and CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Association. “Disabled people have been promised nondiscrimination in air travel for forty years, yet they are still left stranded, injured, and in the worst cases killed — with no way to hold airlines accountable in court. The Air Carrier Access Amendments Act corrects a glaring injustice by giving disabled travelers the private right of action that every other civil rights law guarantees, backed by real penalties and Department of Justice enforcement. DREDF proudly supports this long-overdue bill,” said Michelle Uzeta, Executive Director, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF). “We are incredibly grateful to Senator Baldwin for reintroducing the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act and for all of her support for families impacted by ALS,” said Andrea Goodman, CEO of I AM ALS. “People living with ALS and their caregivers experience constant mobility challenges. This bill will make air travel safer, more accessible, and easier for our community.” “Despite past legislative improvements, people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other disabilities continue to face wheelchair damage, seat transfer injuries, and other serious barriers when traveling by air,” said Kenneth Hobby, President of Cure SMA. “Cure SMA supports the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act and applauds Senator Baldwin for her leadership in advancing accessible air travel through stronger enforcement and meaningful accountability remedies for passengers." “The American Council of the Blind strongly supports comprehensive legislative updates that ensure people who are blind or have low vision can navigate airports, board aircraft and travel with the same independence and respect afforded for all. Air travel should be accessible and dignified for every traveler, regardless of vision status,” said Scott Thornhill, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind. "Everyone deserves to fly safely and with dignity. All too often, air travel becomes unsafe for wheelchair users. The Air Carrier Access Amendments Act will allow individuals who have had their wheelchairs broken or who have been otherwise harmed during air travel to seek justice through the courts. The United Spinal Association applauds Senator Baldwin’s bill and will work with her and our national network of grassroots advocates to make this measure of fairness federal law,” said Stephen Lieberman, Senior Director of Advocacy and Policy for United Spinal Association. A one-pager on this bill is available here . Full text of this bill is available here . ###