Good news for travelers! On May 15, 2024 Congress passed the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, which will make travel more accessible for people with disabilities and their caregivers.
A significant amendment within the bill requires all medium and large airports to install and maintain at least one universal changing station in passenger terminal buildings with signage directing travelers to each location. At present, many of America’s largest airports only offer one or two tables across all terminals; shockingly, New York-area airports like JFK and Laguardia don’t have any all!
With the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024’s new provisions, travelers with disabilities and their caregivers will have the peace of mind that they deserve while traveling. This amendment ensures a far more dignified, sanitary user experience for everyone.
The bill’s specific changing table amendment was authored by Minnesota Rep. Dean Philips, who was inspired by Minnesotan Linda Hood. In 2018 Hood became paralyzed by Giullain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disease, and in 2023 she was also instrumental in getting an accessibility bill signed into law in Minnesota, where universal changing tables are now required in all state buildings.
“If I had to change while traveling, I would have to do it on the airport bathroom floor,” Hood told the press. “In this day and age, that didn’t make sense...That’s why my slogan is ‘no more changing on the floor,’ and I’m going to continue to be an advocate until changing stations are in buildings all over the world.”
Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire authored the specific universal changing table provision in the Senate. Both she and Rep. Phillips worked in collaboration with Cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).
The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 signals a greater awareness of the needs of disabled individuals across the United States and is hopefully just a starting point for creating more equitable and accessible facilities for individuals of all abilities.
