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Flying With Disability
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As with all luggage, you should tag your chair with all your contact details, name, address, telephone number and hotel address in the unlikely event that your chair goes missing.
Ideally, you should also attach a photocopy of instructions to dismantle to your chair. If your chair requires any special equipment for disassembling, discuss this with the airline in advance so that they accommodate your needs.
Remember, even if you are on hand to help with dismantling your chair before departure, it is unlikely that you will be present at the other end of your flight to assist with re-assembly.
If you encounter any problems, then you should immediately speak to the 'Complaint Resolution Officer'. All airlines should have a CRO officer available 24hrs a day either by phone or in person, who is trained to deal with any problems a disabled flyer may encounter whilst travelling.
Disabled travellers in the U.S. can order a free booklet from the U.S. Department of Transportation outlining valuable information for all disabled travellers by telephoning PVA Distribution Center at: 888-860-7244 (Order No. 2100-16).
The Eastern Paralyzed Vetrans Association also supply a handy booklet on how to make a complaint if you are an unsatisfied disabled traveller, along with a comprehensive guide to the Air Carriers Access Act. For full details call 718-803-EPVA, or write to 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1177.
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