Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)

C. Keyword Definitions

Following is a list of key words whose definitions will help you fully understand this manual.

Air Carrier:

Any United States company that provides air transportation, either directly or indirectly or by a lease or any other arrangement. [Sec. 382.5]

Air Carrier Airport:

A public, commercial service airport which enplanes annually 2,500 or more passengers and receives scheduled air service. [Sec. 382.5]

Air Transportation:

Interstate, overseas, or foreign air transportation, or the transportation of mail by aircraft, as defined in the Federal Aviation Act (recodified as 49 U.S.C. 40101 et seq.). [Sec. 382.5]

Assistive Device:

Any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability in carrying out a major life activity. Assistive devices are those devices or equipment used to assist a passenger with a disability in caring for himself or herself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, or performing other functions of daily life. Assistive devices may include medical devices, medications, and bags or cases used to carry them.

Complaints Resolution Official (CRO):

One or more individuals designated by each air carrier who must be thoroughly familiar with the requirements of part 382 and the air carrier’s policies and procedures addressing part 382 and the provision of services, facilities, and accommodations to passengers with disabilities. A CRO must have the authority to resolve disability-related complaints on behalf of an air carrier. A CRO must be available to address disability-related complaints presented by passengers or other individuals. A CRO must be available [1] in person at the airport; or [2] via telephone or TTY at all times an air carrier is operating. [Sec. 382.65]

Contractor:

A contactor is an entity that has a business arrangement with an air carrier to perform functions that the air carrier would otherwise be required to perform with its own employees under the ACAA and part 382. For example, carriers often have business arrangements with companies to provide wheelchair service to passengers with disabilities or to handle baggage. [Sec. 382.7]

Contractor Employee:

An individual that works for an organization that has a business arrangement with one or more air carriers to provide services, facilities, and other accommodations to passengers with disabilities. [Sec. 382.7]

Department or DOT or U.S. Department of Transportation:

The Federal agency that works to ensure a fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation system that meets the Nation’s vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people. DOT has nine operating administrations, in addition to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST): Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highways Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Maritime Administration, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Research and Special Programs Administration, and the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. [Sec. 382.5] The responsibility for implementing the ACAA resides in OST.

DOT Disability Hotline or Hotline:

The toll free telephone hotline system that provides general information about the rights of air travelers with disabilities, responds to requests for information, and assists air travelers with time-sensitive disability-related issues. Members of the public may call 1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time, seven days a week to receive assistance regarding air travel by individuals with disabilities.

FAA:

The Federal administration that oversees the safety of our Nation’s civil aviation system. Safety is the first and foremost mission of the FAA and includes the issuance and enforcement of regulations and standards related to the manufacture, operation, certification, and maintenance of aircraft. [Sec. 382.5]

Facility:

All or any portion of aircraft, buildings, structures, equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, and any other real or personal property, normally used by passengers or prospective passengers visiting or using the airport, to the extent that the carrier exercises control over the selection, design, construction, or alteration of the property. [Sec. 382.5]

Indirect Air Carrier:

A company not directly involved in the operation of an aircraft that sells air transportation services to the general public, such as tour and charter operators. [Sec. 382.5]

Individual with a Disability:

Any individual who:

• has a physical or mental impairment that, on a permanent or temporary basis,

• substantially limits one or more major life activities,

• has a record of such an impairment, or

• is regarded as having such an impairment. [Sec. 382.5]

Qualified Individual with a Disability:

An individual with a disability who:

• accompanies or meets a traveler using airport facilities;

• seeks information about schedules, fares, or policies;

• attempts to use facilities or services offered to the general public by an air carrier;

• has a ticket, or makes a good faith attempt to buy a valid ticket for a flight;

• arrives with a valid ticket for the flight; and

• meets reasonable, nondiscriminatory requirements applicable to all passengers. [Sec. 382.5]

Service Animal:

Any animal that is individually trained or able to provide assistance to a qualified person with a disability or any animal shown by documentation to be necessary for the emotional well being of a passenger. With respect to emotional support animals, although carriers may require documentation to verify that an animal is an emotional support animal, such documentation is not required under the law.

Dogs, cats, and monkeys are among those that have been individually trained and act as service animals. Service animals may assist people with disabilities by, for example:

• guiding persons with vision impairments;

• alerting persons with deafness to specific sounds;

• alerting persons with epilepsy of imminent seizure onset;

• pulling a wheelchair;

• assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance; and

• providing emotional support for persons with disabilities. [Sec. 382.55]

Text Telephones (TTY) or Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD):

TTYs, also called TDDs, are devices that allow individuals who are unable to use a regular telephone to make or receive telephone calls by enabling them to type their conversations. The TTY benefits people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired and individuals seeking to communicate with them. The conversation is typed back and forth and is displayed on a lighted display screen, a paper print-out in the TTY/TDD device, or a computer screen using specialized TTY software. A TTY may also be used to place a relay call to a party with a regular telephone. See Chapter 4, Section D.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

An administration within the Department of Homeland Security that is charged with protecting the security of the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, signed into law on November 19, 2001, brought airport security (including the responsibility to hire, train, manage, and discipline security screeners) under the direct authority of the TSA.