FAA Reauthorization in the House

On Thursday July 20, 2023, the House passed the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration's programs and activities for the next five years. This bipartisan bill passed with a vote of 351- 69 and updates and improves several FAA programs.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is thrilled that the bill includes numerous provisions that address the barriers that passengers with paralysis and other disabilities face. These provisions include:

• Improving training standards for assisting passengers who use wheelchairs.
• Development of training standards for stowage of wheelchairs and scooters.
• Updates to Evacuation Standards.
• Reviewing regulations for Lithium-ion powered wheelchairs.
• Modernization of consumer complaint submissions.
• Adds the requirements for a Passenger with Disabilities Bill of Rights in statute.
• The removal of the outdated terms “handicap’ and handicapped in various statutes.
• Requires the establishment of a plan to continue working towards the feasibility of implementing seating arrangements that would allow passengers to remain in their personal wheelchair.
• Strengthens the requirements for investigations of ACAA complaints.

The Senate version of the FAA reauthorization bill also contains several disability provisions, but is currently stalled in committee. The current FAA authorization expires on September 30.

We are thankful to the many advocates that fought for these significant changes for the future of air travel for people with disabilities! Please contact Gerard Arnum, Grassroots Advocacy Manager, at garnum@christopherreeve.org if you would like to learn about the Reeve Foundation’s growing advocacy network.