From Paralyzed Veterans of America:
WASHINGTON (January 23, 2020) — PVA Associate Executive
Director of Government Relations Heather Ansley issued the following
statement regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking public
comment on proposed amendments to its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
regulation on transporting service animals on aircraft. Once officially
published, the public has 60 days to provide comments on the proposed
changes to the DOT:
“Under the proposed rule, airlines would be able to request that
passengers with disabilities complete DOT forms attesting to their
service animal’s good behavior, health, and training. The recommended
changes would also allow airlines to require travelers with service
animals to check-in early for their flight. If implemented, these
measures would create a new burden for catastrophically disabled
veterans who already have to deal with damaged wheelchairs, lack of
accessible lavatories, and bodily harm caused from being transferred on
and off the aircraft. The proposed rule would also allow airlines to
prohibit transport of emotional support animals unless the individual
complies will rules and fees for transporting pets. We do not support
treating emotional support animals like pets. Instead, we believe there
needs to be a balance between enacting requirements to prevent travelers
from taking advantage of access rules when flying with animals and
limiting access for people with disabilities. Catastrophically disabled
veterans already have more than enough access limits in air travel.”
