--- title: U.S. Department of Transportation Requires Airline Lavatories to Be More Accessible for Wheelchair Users description: The Department of Transportation announced a new rule requiring all US airlines to make bathrooms more accessible for wheelchair users. image: https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(71).png --- [Community](https://www.christopherreeve.org/community) [Voices from the Community](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en) [U.S. Department of Transportation Requires Airline Lavatories to Be More Accessible for Wheelchair Users](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/dot-airline-accessible-lavatories) # U.S. Department of Transportation Requires Airline Lavatories to Be More Accessible for Wheelchair Users On July 26, 2023, the 33rd Anniversary of the[Americans with Disabilities Act](https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/), the Department of Transportation announced a new [rule](https://www.regulations.gov/document/DOT-OST-2021-0137-0364) requiring all US airlines to make bathrooms more accessible for wheelchair users. ![Department of Transportation Logo](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hs-fs/hubfs/United_States_Department_of_Transportation_seal.svg.png?width=243&height=244&name=United_States_Department_of_Transportation_seal.svg.png) New single-aisle aircraft must be fitted with fully accessible lavatories. The lavatory must be expanded in size to accommodate a wheelchair user and their attendant/caregiver. This new requirement will go into effect for single-aisle aircraft that is ordered for at least 10 years from now or to be at least 12 years from now. For several years, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation has been working with a coalition of disability organizations on this issue. This is a huge win in the fight for accessible air travel! Read the full official Department of Transportation Press Release [here](https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-requires-airline-lavatories-be-more-accessible).  ####    Join Our Movement ### What started as an idea has become a national movement. With your support, we can influence policy and inspire lasting change. [Become an Advocate](https://www.votervoice.net/REEVE/Register) ![](https://www.christopherreeve.org/wp-content/themes/reeve/assets/images/fpo/blog-dc.png) ### About the Author - Reeve Staff This blog was written by the Reeve Foundation for educational purposes. For more information please reach out to information@christopherreeve.org [![Twitter](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Icon-twitter-square.svg)](https://twitter.com/reevefoundation) [![Facebook](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Icon-facebook-square.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/ReeveFoundation) [![LinkedIn](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Icon-linkedin-square.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/christopher-and-dana-reeve-foundation) ![Reeve Staff](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/blog-authors/reeve-blog-author-default.png) The opinions expressed in these blogs are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The National Paralysis Resource Center website is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $10,000,000 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government. [Back to top](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/dot-airline-accessible-lavatories#top)