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, the Department of Transportation announced a new rule requiring all US airlines to make bathrooms more accessible for wheelchair users.

Department of Transportation Logo

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

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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

Reeve Staff

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.