Traveling with a Disability

I’m about to leave for a long vacation I’ve been planning for quite some time. It should feel purely exciting. But if I’m honest, I notoriously get anxious about travel—specifically the logistics of travel.

I’m the person who gets to the airport very early to make sure I don’t miss my flight. I check the gate repeatedly. I’m packed, ready, and standing near the boarding line long before my group is called. It’s not glamorous. It’s just how I cope with the uncertainty of airports.

This week, as I’ve been preparing for my trip, I’ve been struck by how much more complicated air travel is for people with disabilities.

Will my wheelchair be handled safely?
Will airline staff know how to assist me?
What are my rights if something goes wrong?

A good friend of mine was competing in the World Championships for Adaptive CrossFit when an airline damaged their wheelchair—the very chair they planned to compete in, and the one they rely on to move through the world every single day.

Can you imagine arriving at your destination and the airline has effectively taken away your legs? How do you suddenly navigate a new city without the equipment that gives you independence?

So let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about why air travel can be so stressful for people with disabilities—and what legal protections actually exist.

History

If you are one of the people who think disabled people are “lucky” or “have it easy” because they get to board early, prepare to learn more. Before the Air Carrier Access Act was passed, commercial airlines were free to treat people with disabilities however they chose. There was no federal requirement to accommodate passengers with disabilities, and policies varied widely between carriers—meaning airlines could effectively refuse to board someone simply because they used a wheelchair, require them to purchase a companion ticket, or delay assistance without consequence. The inconsistency sometimes left people with disabilities stranded or excluded from travel, and there were no procedural safeguards for assistive devices or trained staff to handle them. Disability advocates, frustrated by this patchwork of discriminatory practices, organized campaigns, testified before Congress, and fought for clear federal standards. Their efforts led to the ACAA’s passage in 1986, which prohibited disability-based discrimination in air travel and laid the groundwork for access that millions now rely on.

Your Rights: The Air Carrier Access Act

Let’s dive deeper into what the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) actually is. This federal law prohibits airlines from discriminating against passengers with disabilities. It requires airlines to provide assistance with boarding and deplaning, transport mobility devices, and make reasonable accommodations so people with disabilities can access air travel.

In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Joe Biden administration pushed it further to address the exact problem my friend had with damage to his wheelchair from air travel. These updates—often referred to as the “Wheelchair Rule”—required better staff training, clearer standards for safe transfers, and stronger accountability when wheelchairs were damaged or delayed. For many in the disability community, this felt like long-overdue recognition that a wheelchair isn’t luggage—it’s part of someone’s body and independence.

Unfortunately, as is clearly a theme, in 2025, under the Donald Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation paused enforcement of key parts of that rule after legal challenges from airlines. Some of the accountability measures—like stronger financial consequences for damaged wheelchairs—were put on hold. The core protections of the ACAA still stand, but the rollback of newer enforcement measures has left many travelers concerned about consistency and oversight.

If Something Goes Wrong

For those who use wheelchairs or other specialized devices, it is recommended you take pictures of your device prior to getting on the airline to document the current condition. If you run into barriers or feel your rights aren’t being respected, ask for the airline’s Complaints Resolution Official (CRO). Every airline is required to have one available to address disability-related concerns. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation after your trip.

Air travel shouldn’t require extra bravery. While policy changes have created uncertainty—especially for wheelchair users—knowing your rights, documenting your equipment, and advocating clearly can make a difference. Flying with a disability shouldn’t mean lowering expectations. It should mean being prepared, informed, and supported along the way. Contact your representatives to demand accountability for damaged wheelchairs and other assistive devices from airlines and reinstate the full protections of the Wheelchair Rule. And good luck out there exploring this beautiful world.