Under Consideration: New Fed Rules for Flights with Service Animals

With numerous recent issues related to the safe travel of service and comfort animals on airlines, the Department of Transportation is considering new regulations for flights, with most of the controversies and recent concerns related to emotional support animals, a somewhat ill-defined category.

DOT officials are considering rule changes and seeking public comment on concerns such as requirements for leashing or crating service animals and whether emotional support/comfort animals should be included in the same category as service animals such as those for individuals who are Blind, for instance. The Department is also considering possible limits on the size and/or species of animals permitted on planes, as well as requirements for documenting an animal's training and qualifications.

Proponents and opponents of emotional support animals both note that the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Air Carrier Access Acts are at times unclear and even in conflict regarding the legal responsibilities of air carriers and the rights of passengers with disabilities.

Transportation.gov provides the following information to passengers considering air travel with a service animal at this link: https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals-including-emotional-support-animals

To comment on the newly proposed regulations, please visit: Regulations.gov at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOT-OST-2018-0068-0001


For additional viewpoints on the issue, please visit:

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2018/05/22/feds-eye-flying-service-animals/25113/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/01/travel/service-animals-planes.html
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2018/04/15/pets-plane-american-southwest-airlines-government-help-emotional-support-animals

Global Update: Australia, EU, Botswana

30 July 2008
AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS DISABILITY TRUST CHANGE

ABCNews (AUSTRALIA) Australia is considering changes to allow more families to establish special disability trusts for their children. Currently trusts are not widely used because of restrictive eligibility and tax rules. The Australian Senate will make recommendations on new legislation in September. Carers Australia (http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/) says the government should establish a program for families who are not financially able to put money into disability trusts.
SOURCE:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/30/2318311.htm

NEW EUROPEAN UNION AIR TRAVEL RULES

United Kingdom Press Association, UK— The European Union (EU; http://europa.eu/) has passed new rules giving more rights to passengers with disabilities. Under the new rules, which are now in effect, airlines and airports will assist travelers with disabilities free of charge. Other services, such as wheelchair transportation and transport for service animals will also be free of charge. Airlines cannot refuse travel to people with disabilities. The new rules apply to all flights departing from an EU airport and European arrivals in the EU.
SOURCE:
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmBW6F_hZ-UudKO96h-VjQD40VRw

BOTSWANA POLICY EXCLUDES YOUTH WITH DISABILITY

Daily news Online, GABORONE, BOTSWANA - The National Youth Policy does not make provisions for young people with disabilities. During the recent Legislative and Policy Framework: Impact on Youth With Disabilities Conference, the acting executive director Anthony Morima said people with disabilities do not utilize available programs because they are unaware of them, or the programs are not accessible to them. In particular, Morima called for better sports programs for youth with disabilities. He requests development of a comprehensive report on program availability. Ms. Motsei Rapelana of the University of Botswana (http://www.ub.bw/) calls for the inclusion of people with disabilities in formulating programmatic and service plans.
SOURCE:
http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20080728&i=Policy_disadvantages_people_with_disabilities