Black background with white text box that says: Air Carrier Access Act. Image of an airplane at the gate. The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities

Air Carrier Access Act

By Tracy Waller, MPH, Esq.

Air Carrier Access Act- Disability Travel Rights

The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (ACAA) is a United States law passed by Congress in 1986 and is found in the United States Code titled “Discrimination against handicapped individuals.”1 The ACAA prohibits commercial airlines from discriminating against passengers with disabilities during air travel. It requires air carriers to engage in consistent and nondiscriminatory treatment and to accommodate people with disabilities during air travel. 

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Disability Pride Month: Honoring History, Celebrating Identity, and Building a More Inclusive Community

Neha Banerji,
Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law) Trainee
Penn State Dickinson School of Law

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Image of a map, bus, airplane with text that reads: What is Accessible Travel? The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities

What is Accessible Travel?

Accessible travel is about more than just getting from one place to another—it’s about ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, can experience the joy and freedom of exploring the world. This infographic highlights what accessible travel means, the barriers that still exist, and the features that make a trip truly inclusive. From accessible transportation and accommodations to detailed travel guides and personal assistance, accessible travel opens up opportunities for dignity, independence, and connection. Whether you’re a traveler, travel provider, or advocate, understanding these elements is a key step toward creating a world where everyone can travel freely and confidently.

Summer is a popular time to travel, and with a bit of planning, disabled travelers can enjoy smooth, accessible adventures. Before you go, research destinations and transportation options to ensure they offer the accessibility features you need—like ramps, lifts, accessible restrooms, and adaptive hotel rooms. Call ahead to confirm details, especially for outdoor attractions where accessibility can vary. Pack essential mobility or medical equipment, and consider bringing cooling items like fans or ice packs if you’re sensitive to heat. Finally, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance—many airlines, parks, and hotels offer support services if requested in advance. With the right preparation, your summer getaway can be relaxing, fun, and barrier-free.

Image of a map with suitcases, busses, and airplanes. Text reads: What is Accessible Travel? Travel that is designed to be inclusive and usable for everyone, especially people with disabilities. The goal of accessible travel is to ensure that everyone can enjoy travel experiences with dignity, comfort, independence, and interdependence. Barriers to Accessible Travel: - lack of accurate information about accessibility, lack of accessible accommodations, lack of accessible restaurants, limited options for accessible tours, no accessible restrooms, limited accessible transportation, inaccessible sidewalks and streets. Features of Accessible Travel: Transportation equipped with ramps, lifts, priority seating, and space for assistive technology. 
- hotels and lodging with accessible rooms, roll-in showers, grab bars, visual alarms, and other adaptive features. 
- museums parks and other tourist sites with barrier free access, tactile exhibits, audio guides, and sign language interpretation
- travel guides, websites, and app that provide accessibility details in clear, easy to understand formats
- availability of personal assistance, rental of mobility aids, and trained staff to help travelers with a disability 
More images of maps, suitcases, Statue of Liberty, the globe, etc.

Interested to learn more about accessibility and travel? Be sure to check out this blog:

Image of a map with white airplanes flying. text reads: travel, Accessibility, Anxiety, and Barriers, Oh my! 
The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities