1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the U.S. Transportation Department's recent decision to not enforce key provisions of the December 2022 rule that aimed to protect disabled passengers using wheelchairs. This decision undermines crucial consumer protections and perpetuates discrimination against individuals with disabilities in air travel. The rule, issued during the Biden administration, set stricter standards for accommodating wheelchair users and required airlines to reimburse passengers for wheelchair damage. These protections are vital for ensuring equal access to air travel for all Americans. By suspending enforcement, the USDOT is effectively allowing airlines to sidestep their responsibilities to disabled passengers. The department's claim that it is writing a new rule is not a sufficient reason to delay enforcement of existing protections. Disabled passengers need these safeguards now, not at some undetermined future date. The decision to halt enforcement of airline liability for mishandled wheelchairs and reimbursement for fare differences when wheelchairs don't fit on flights leaves vulnerable passengers without recourse. I urge you to take immediate action to pressure the USDOT to reinstate enforcement of these critical protections. Disabled Americans should not have to wait for basic rights and dignities when traveling. The airline industry's lawsuit against these rules should not take precedence over the needs of passengers with disabilities.