14 CFR Part 382 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act) (with amendments issued through July 2003)

§ 382.61 Training.

(a) Each carrier which operates aircraft with more than 19 passenger seats shall provide training, meeting the requirements of this paragraph, for all its personnel who deal with the traveling public, as appropriate to the duties of each employee.

(1) The carrier shall ensure training to proficiency concerning:

(i) The requirements of this part and other DOT or FAA regulations affecting the provision of air travel to persons with a disability; and

(ii) The carrier’s procedures, consistent with this part, concerning the provision of air travel to persons with a disability, including the proper and safe operation of any equipment used to accommodate passengers with a disability.

(2) The carrier shall also train such employees with respect to awareness and appropriate responses to persons with a disability, including persons with physical, sensory, mental, and emotional disabilities, including how to distinguish among the differing abilities of individuals with a disability.

(3) The carrier shall consult with organizations representing persons with disabilities in developing its training program and the policies and procedures concerning which carrier personnel are trained.

(4) The carrier shall ensure that personnel required to receive training shall complete the training by the following times:

(i) For crewmembers subject to training required under 14 CFR part 121 or 135, who are employed on the date the carrier’s program is established under § 382.63, as part of their next scheduled recurrent training;

(ii) For other personnel employed on the date the carrier’s program is established under § 382.63, within 180 days of that date;

(iii) For crewmembers subject to training requirements under 14 CFR part 121 or 135 whose employment in any given position commences after the date the carrier’s program is established under § 382.63, before they assume their duties; and

(iv) For other personnel whose employment in any given position commences after the date the carrier’s program is established under § 382.63, within 60 days of the date on which they assume their duties.

(5) Each carrier shall ensure that all personnel required to receive training receive refresher training on the matters covered by this section, as appropriate to the duties of each employee, as needed to maintain proficiency.

(6) Each carrier shall provide, or require its contractors to provide, training to the contractors’ employees concerning travel by persons with a disability. This training is required only for those contractor employees who deal directly with the traveling public at airports, and it shall be tailored to the employees’ functions. Training for contractor employees shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section.

(7) Current employees of each carrier designated as complaints resolution officials, for purposes of § 382.65 of this part, shall receive training concerning the requirements of this part and the duties of a complaints resolution official within 60 days of the effective date of this part (i.e., by June 4, 1990). Employees subsequently designated as complaints resolution officers shall receive this training before assuming their duties under § 382.65. All employees performing the complaints resolution official function shall receive annual refresher training concerning their duties and the provisions of this regulation.

(b) Each carrier operating only aircraft with 19 or fewer passenger seats shall provide training for flight crewmembers and appropriate personnel to ensure that they are familiar with the matters listed in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section and comply with the requirements of this part.