City’s Office of Equity and Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Disability to Host Two-Day Workshop for Air Travelers with Disabilities

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA -The City of Long Beach Office of Equity, in partnership with the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disability (CACoD), is hosting "Navigating Friendlier Skies: A Virtual Forum for Air Travelers with Disabilities," a free two-day virtual workshop that will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop will address equity in air travel for people with disabilities, connect air travelers with disabilities to information and resources and raise awareness on their rights.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reported a total of 11,527 incidents of damaged or lost wheelchairs across the nation; a new federal proposal seeks to cut the inconvenience for wheelchair-reliant travelers with six-figure penalties against airlines. This event will inform air travelers with disabilities about their rights, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) process and how to best prepare to travel by airplane. It will also serve as an opportunity for the airline industry to hear from the disability community.

This free workshop is open to the public and is designed as a lunch and learn event to ensure attendees can participate from wherever they are. Guests can view the two-day agenda below and register to attend.

Wednesday, Sept. 18

• Presentation from United Spinal Association reviewing 'Navigating the Friendly Skies: A Guide to Air Travel with a Disability'

Thursday, Sept. 19

• Virtual Panel discussion featuring TSA, DOT, Long Beach Airport, ABM Industries and the United Spinal Association

CACoD advises the Mayor, City Council and City Manager on concerns and issues affecting people with disabilities, facilitates coordination between existing and proposed programs for people with disabilities and recommends ways to eradicate artificial barriers to a full and productive life, such as the pursuit of employment, health services, housing, transportation, recreation and other life activities identified by the Commission. The Commission consists of nine members, including Long Beach residents and representatives from public and private agencies that provide services to disabled citizens within Long Beach. CACoD represents anyone who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits functioning in one or more major life activities, or a person who has a record of such impairment.

Long Beach Airport (LGB) and its business partners offer travelers with disabilities a variety of services and resources, including accessible parking, service animal pet relief areas, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible loading and unloading areas, wheelchair accessible ground transportation through services serving LGB, accessible drinking fountains and restrooms and security checkpoint screening assistance through TSA Cares. The ongoing Terminal Roadway Improvements Project, scheduled for completion in the coming months, will also improve ADA features along the curb.

For media inquiries and more information about this event, or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Jennifer Kumiyama, Citywide Accessibility Coordinator, Office of Equity, at 562.570.6257 or at [email protected].

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