Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)

A. Accessibility of Terminal Facilities and Services

All terminal facilities and services owned, leased, or operated by a carrier at a commercial service airport, including parking and ground transportation, must comply with the Standards for Accessible Design under the Americans with Disabilities Act. [Sec. 382.23(e)] These terminal facilities and services must be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs. [Sec. 382.23(b)] For example, terminals must provide accessible inter-terminal transportation systems, e.g., shuttle vehicles and people movers. [Sec. 382.23(d)]

As appropriate to your specific responsibilities and duties when dealing with the traveling public and consistent with all carriers’ obligation to ensure training to proficiency [Sec. 382.61(a)], you should understand how these services and facilities function as well as their uses by passengers with a disability. You should also know where they are located within or without the terminal.

Carriers must also ensure that there is an accessible path between the gate and the area from which aircraft are boarded. [Sec. 382.23(c)] Carriers shall not (i) restrict the movements of individuals with disabilities in terminals; (ii) require them to remain in a holding area or other location in order to receive assistance; or (iii) mandate separate treatment for individuals with disabilities except as required or permitted under Part 382. [Sec. 382.55(c)]