Why Accessible Air Travel is Essential for Muscular Dystrophy Families

Recently the Department of Transportation sent out education materials to inform air carriers about the complaints and to train staff in the best practices to use when dealing with travelers with disabilities. Webinars, in-person meetings, and educational materials are now developed and released. DOT published a series of disability-related training materials for airlines and passengers with disabilities in the four areas that were the most troubling. These include:

• Wheelchair and guide assistance.
• Stowage, loss, delay, and damage to wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
• Aircraft seating accommodations including bathroom and aisle size.
• More than two-thirds of those in wheelchairs indicated they would rather stay in their wheelchairs in flight if there were an option.
• Travel with service animals. This subject has become a topic of discussion, lately. There are those who need service animals with them on air flight, but there are no clear rules for different types of service animals and their accommodations. The MDA is also involved in helping to find the best practices for a service animal and those with MD.