DOT ISSUES FINAL RULE ON ACCESSIBILITY OF WEBSITES AND AUTOMATED KIOSKS AT U.S. AIRPORTS
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently issued a Final Rule regarding Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel: Accessibility of Web Sites and Automated Kiosks at U.S. Airports. The Final Rule is effective December 12, 2013.
The Final Rule will require:
- U.S. and foreign air carriers to make their websites that market air transportation to the general public in the U.S. accessible to individuals with disabilities.
- ticket agents that are not small businesses to disclose and offer web-based fares to passengers who indicate that they are unable to use the agents’ web sites due to a disability.
- U.S. and foreign air carriers to ensure that kiosks meet detailed accessibility design standards specified in this rule until a total of at least 25% of automated kiosks in each location at the airport meet these standards.
- U.S. airport operators to meet the same accessibility standards with respect to automated kiosks.
DOT will hold a meeting for airline, airport, and ticket agent representatives on December 11, 2013 to discuss implementation of this rule.
If you have any questions or would like further information regarding the Final Rule or the DOT meeting, please contact our office.