The United States Congress enacted the Air Carrier Access Act in 1986. The legislation prohibits discrimmination in airline service on the basis of disability. "Part 382 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel: Final Rule" came into full force on 13th May 2009.

The rule applies to flights that begin or end at a US airport. "Flight" means a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with one flightnumber that begins or ends at a US airport.

A copy of Part 382 in an accessible format is available from the United States Department of Transportation. Passengers may contact the Department of Transportation by either:

1. For calls made from within the United States, by telephone via the Toll Free Hotline for Air Travellers with disabilities at 1-800-455-9880 (TTY)

2. By telephone to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division at 001 202-366-2220 (voice) or 202-366-0511 (TTY)

3. By mail to the Air Consumer Protection Division, C-75, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue., S.E., West Building, Room W96-432, Washington DC 20590

4. On the Aviation Consumer Protection Division's website: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov

A PDF copy is available here.