Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or

Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (U.S. Airports)

On September 29, 2011, the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed to amend its rules implementing section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which requires accessibility in airport terminal facilities that receive Federal assistance.

The NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) includes new provisions related to service animal relief areas, captioning of televisions and audio-visual displays, and proposes to reorganize the provision in 49 CFR 27.72 concerning mechanical lifts for enplaning and deplaning passengers with mobility impairments (both U.S. and foreign air carriers) to ensure lifts are available where entry loading bridges are not available.

This proposed rule applies to airport facilities located in the U.S. with 10,000 or more annual enplanements that receive Federal funding.

To view the NPRM in the Federal Register, click http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-29/html/2011-24849.htm

For more information from the American Association of Airport Executives, visit: http://aaae.org/federal_affairs/regulatory_affairs/regulatory_alerts/viewregalert.cfm?regalertid=B5DCF905-EEEB-24A9-0B6E3BCC758ECCFC&CFID=8948922&CFTOKEN=71876498

Comments are due to DOT on November 28, 2011.