Airport Accessibility

UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO, ONLY THOSE AIRPORT facilities designed, constructed, or renovated by or for a recipient of federal funds had to comply with federal accessibility standards. Even at federally-assisted airports, not all facilities and activities were required to be accessible. Examples are privately-owned ground transportation and concessions selling goods or services to the public. As a result of the Air Carrier Access rules, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and implementing regulations, these privately-owned facilities must also be made accessible.

In general, airports under construction or being refurbished must comply with the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and other regulations governing accessibility in accordance with a timetable established in the ADA. The ADAAGs can be found at http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm. Note in particular section 10.4, “Airports.” Thus, while there are still many changes to be made, the accessibility of most airports is improving. With few exceptions, the following services should be available in all air carrier terminals within the next few years:

Accessible parking near the terminal;

Signs indicating accessible parking and the easiest access from those spaces to the terminal;

Accessible medical aid facilities and travelers aid stations;

Accessible restrooms;

Accessible drinking fountains;

Accessible ticketing systems at primary fare collection areas;

Amplified telephones and text telephones (TTs) for use by persons with hearing and speech impairments (there must be at least one TT in each terminal in a clearly marked accessible location);

Accessible baggage check-in and retrieval areas;

Jet bridges and mobile lounges that are accessible (at airports that have such facilities);

Level entry boarding ramps, lifts or other means of assisting an individual with a disability on and off an aircraft;

Information systems using visual words, letters or symbols with lighting and color coding, and systems for providing information orally;

Signs indicating the location of specific facilities and services.