The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks public comments on a new proposed rule to improve restroom access for passengers with disabilities on single-aisle aircraft with 125 or more seats. The rule is based on negotiated rulemaking undertaken by DOT's Advisory Committee on Accessible Air Transportation, which included aviation industry representatives, disability rights advocates, and other stakeholders.
The proposed regulation addresses lavatory interiors, on-board wheelchairs, and training of flight attendants.
Comments are due by March 2, 2020.
Read the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and submit a comment.
Stay tuned: In the near future, DOT plans to issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit comment and gather information on the costs and benefits of requiring airlines to make lavatories on new single-aisle aircraft larger, equivalent to that currently found on twin-aisle aircraft.
I'm amazed we have waited so long to propose this. Each and every person deserve the same access to basic necessities, especially if they are paying for a seat. It is also a good business decision, as my work has introduced me to many people who don't fly because of inaccessible lavatories.