Fw: [SightExchange] Fw: FYI

March 30, 2006

This message has to do with ada proposed changes on airlines...please read.

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Disabled people's animals may soon find the skies uninviting

>

> Fort Pierce Tribune, Florida

>

> Wednesday, March 22, 2006

>

> By Allan Appel

>

> The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed new rules that would

> make the skies very unfriendly for disabled people traveling with service

> animals.

>

> The DOT would regulate changes in the Air r Access Act. These

> proposed changes would allow airlines three options if a service dog is

> too big to sit

>

> in the small amount of space directly in front of the owner's seat.

>

> The three options include charging the disabled passenger for an extra

> ticket, or putting the dog in the cargo hold; or making the passenger and

> dog wait

>

> for a later flight. All three of these alternatives are outrageous and

> unacceptable.

>

> Charging the passenger for a second seat would disenfranchise many

> disabled people, unable to pay two fares.

>

> Shipping the dog in the cargo hold is both unacceptable and fraught with

> danger for the animal. Separating the service animal from the disabled

> passenger

>

> threatens the person's independence. And it has been estimated about 5,000

> animals shipped in the cargo hold are lost, injured or killed every year.

>

> Making the team wait for a later flight likewise makes no sense. First,

> the same crowded conditions may exist on other flights. Also, the

> passenger may

>

> be forced to miss connections or scheduled pick-ups or appointments at the

> destination.

>

> The current airline practices provide for an empty seat where space is

> available, or asking for a volunteer to share leg space with the service

> dog. This

>

> policy has served both the airlines and the public well. It imposes no

> financial burden on either the airline or the disabled passenger. And it

> also happens

>

> to implement the very spirit of the Air r Access Act.

>

> Service animals may include guide dogs for the visually impaired. Service

> dogs also help people who are deaf or otherwise have low hearing capacity

> and

>

> may assist people with difficulty maintaining balance or warn of an

> impending seizure or other unanticipated events.

>

> This new measure, first proposed in November 2004, may go into effect as

> early as this summer. Contact your local congressmen and senators to urge

> DOT to

>

> withdraw this proposed rule immediately.

>

> Thousands of disabled people who travel with service animals are depending

> on our support.

>

> Allan Appel writes a biweekly column about disabilities. He can be reached

> c/o Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, 1939 S. Federal Highway, P.O. Box

> 9009,

>

> Stuart, FL 34994, or e-mail at aappel223@....

>

> http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/health/article/0,2821,TCP_24452_4556529,00.html

>

April 15, 2006