---
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.
---

[Voices From The Community | Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis](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)

 Written by [Reeve Staff](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/reeve-staff) | Aug 4, 2023 2:38:33 PM

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.

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). 

[View full post](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/dot-airline-accessible-lavatories)

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