Air Carrier Access Act

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Air Carrier Access Act
14 CFR Part 382 Non-discrimination on the Basis
of Disability in Air Travel
29 April 2009 Heidi Giles MacFarlane Richard
Gomez
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Todays Discussion

• The ACAA Rule
• What to Expect from the DOT on May 13
• Importance of Training
• Respiratory Assistive Devices

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14 CFR Part 382

• Effective May 13, 2009 no air carrier may
  discriminate against any otherwise qualified
  individualwith a disability
• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

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The ACAA Rule

• EFFECTIVE 13 MAY 2009

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How MedAire Complies

• Closely monitor regulations worldwide
• Respond to medical-related NPRMs
• Understand and comply with regulations
• Help airlines mitigate medical risk

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What to Expect

• More passengers with unique needs
• Passengers with disabilities who are aware of the
  new rule
• Affected persons who may file a complaint
• Monitoring by the DOT
• Inspections and potential fines

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What to Expect from the DOT
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Compliance Activities

• Role of DOTs Office of the Assistant General
  Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings
• Attend and review CRO training classes offered by
  U.S. and foreign carriers
• Purpose of review
• Use compliance reviews to address problems
  encountered by persons with disabilities when
  they travel

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Enforcement

• Pursue enforcement action based on
• Pattern and practice of discrimination
• Egregious cases
• Maximum civil penalty for ACAA violations
  (27,500 per violation)
• Committed to ensuring carrier compliance
• Working with airlines to achieve the common goal
  of accessibility in air travel.

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382.141

• Train to proficiency
• General understanding of the rule
• Knowledge of procedures
• Knowledge to safely operate equipment
• Ability to respond to requests
• Consult with disability advocacy groups
• Ensure contractors provide adequate training

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Develop a Training Plan
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Respiratory DevicesUse Must be Allowed on
Aircraft

• CPAP-Continuous positive airway pressure device
• POC- Portable oxygen concentrator
• VENT-Respirator / Ventilator

Aircraft with 19 or more passengers
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Why these Devices?

• Common denominator chronic medical conditions
• Sleep apnea affects 18 million
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  affects 16 million
• Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects 4.8
  million
• Neuromuscular / musculoskeletal disorders
• In-flight risk is relative to dependency on the
  device

Statistics are for people in the United States
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Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices

• CPAPs
• Used commonly to treat sleep apnea
• Delivered via a face mask
• Eases breathing by opening the airways during
  sleep
• Low risk use on board

In the event of a decompression, users will need
to use the drop down masks
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Portable Oxygen Concentrators

• Treats low oxygen levels in the blood (COPD,
  CHF)
• Settings to be based on altitude
• Risk during depressurization
• Power supply depletion
• Alternatives during device failure (emergency
  oxygen bottle)

Seven POC devices are approved by the Federal
Aviation Administration
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Respirators/Ventilators

• Breathes for someone who cant breathe by
  themselves
• Usually devices is connected by tube in neck
  (tracheostomy)
• Risk during depressurization
• Power supply depletion
• Device failure requires manual ventilation

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An Airlines Responsibility

• Training on these devices is not required
• However, you should
• Recognize approved devices
• Understand criteria for acceptance
• Know how and why assistive devices are used
• Be comfortable
• Implement normal and non-normal emergency
  procedures

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In Conclusion

• To enhance access to the skies
• Read the rule know what to expect
• Share your plan with the DOT
• Educate your workgroups to proficiency
• Integrate respiratory assistive devices into your
  current procedures

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For Further Questions
Contact Heidi Giles MacFarlane heidi.giles_at_MedAir
e.com OR VISIT BOOTH 228