The U.S. Department of Transportation mandated all new single-aisle aircraft must have larger, wheelchair-accessible lavatories, ensuring dignity and convenience for travelers with disabilities.
"Traveling can be stressful enough without worrying about being able to access a restroom; yet today, millions of wheelchair users are forced to choose between dehydrating themselves before boarding a plane or avoiding air travel altogether," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a news release.
In a groundbreaking move to promote accessibility and dignity for travelers with disabilities, on the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, DOT mandated all new single-aisle aircraft must have larger and more accessible lavatories. The rule, announced in the July 26 release, will ensure passengers with mobility challenges, particularly wheelchair users, are no longer compelled to face the distressing choice of self-inflicted dehydration or avoiding air travel altogether.
Buttigieg expressed pride in this new regulation, saying it will guarantee equal access and respect for travelers with disabilities, granting them the same convenience and comfort as other passengers, the release reported.
The rule requires lavatories be large enough to permit a passenger with a disability and attendant, both equivalent in size to a 95th percentile male, to approach, enter and maneuver within as necessary to use the aircraft lavatory, according to the release.
The release highlights the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to improving infrastructure accessibility. The DOT has allocated funds for modernizing airport terminals and retrofitting rail and subway stations to accommodate the needs of all travelers, including wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges, the release said. The DOT is considering a potential future rule to improve comfort and safety for passengers who prefer to remain in their wheelchairs during air travel.
Additionally, the department is working on enhancing training for airline staff assisting passengers with disabilities or handling battery-powered wheelchairs or scooters, the release reported. Moreover, the DOT is collaborating with experts, academic institutions and federal partners to ensure future vehicles, including automated and electric vehicles, are designed with inclusivity in mind.
