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• Air travelers complain about wheelchair service
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Air travelers complain about
wheelchair service

Problems with wheelchairs account for around two-thirds of complaints regarding disabilities by travelers in 2004, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation study.

Congress had ordered the study of difficulties that people with disabilities encounter when traveling. The estimate is that 17 percent of air travelers have disabilities.

The major complaints have been lodged against American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Northwest Airlines — almost 60 percent of all complaints, reported the Disability Compliance Bulletin, of Dec. 22, 2005.

Complaints by travelers with disabilities range from the lack of assistance, damaged wheelchairs, poor seating, long waits while their chairs were stowed away, and inaccessible airplanes, said the report. Transportation Department officials expect to utilize the report to improve service to these travelers. Some airlines have begun to improve the process already, including disability training for employees.

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Carolyn Herbst, Committee Chairperson • Abbe Nosoff, Editor/Writer • Eugene Rubin, UFT Committee Liaison