News & Events

CRO Training at LAX

ODO’s next Initial Training for Complaint Resolution Officials will take place at the Los Angeles International Airport on May 13-14. The class will be held at Gateway Group One, 5757 Century Blvd., Suite 810. Training hours are Mon., May 13, 9am-5pm; and Tues., May 14, 9am-1pm. To reserve a space, call 773-388-8839 or email Brittany Stern.

CRO Training Flyer pdf

CRO Registration Form pdf word

Gateway Group One First to Partner with ODO’s New Aviation Certification Program

Open Doors Organization is delighted to announce that Gateway Group One, a leading airline passenger service company, will be the first to train its team members using ODO’s new certification program for wheelchair service providers. Classroom training of Gateway’s Certified Access Trainers will begin in January 2013, with Gateway then rolling out the program across the country. Over 1500 employees are expected to enroll and become Certified Access Providers in 2013.

Read the ODO/Gateway Press Release.

New ODO Aviation Certification Program

Beginning in early 2013, Open Doors Organization will offer a new and unique Aviation Access Certification Program designed to raise the quality of and standardize service by airline wheelchair service employees nationwide. Eric Lipp, ODO Executive Director, announced the new program on October 17 at the 2012 Universal Access in Airports conference in Seattle.

“Our aim in creating this new training and certification program,” Mr. Lipp said, “is to help these employees do a better, safer job and to realize how valuable their services are, thereby enhancing the quality and experience for both customers and employees. Now there will be a gold standard that includes training that was developed by people with disabilities for people with disabilities.”

Read the Press Release.

UAIA 2012–The Best Yet!

Universal Access in Airports, which took place on Oct. 16-18 in Seattle, had record attendance and strong educational content from start to finish. Our heartfelt thanks go out to our many sponsors, panelists and attendees. Highlights included an impassioned opening speech by Brad Tilden, the new CEO of Alaska Airlines, and presentation of the 2012 Disability Access Professionals Award to Ray Prentice, Director of Customer Advocacy for Alaska Airlines.
UAIA 2012 Program pdf

Updated CRO Refresh Webinar

Open Doors Organization is pleased to introduce our updated CRO Refresh Training course.  This webinar is designed to help airlines meet the annual training requirements for their Complaints Resolution Officials.   It includes the latest rulemaking and guidance from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) as well as details on recent DOT enforcements. 

For details or registration, go to Web Event Solutions.

Featured Training

ODO Disability Awareness Course Offered by Airports Council International

ODO’s first training module developed for Airports Council International (ACI) is now open for registration at the ACI Online Learning Center. Entitled “Passengers with Disabilities and Reduced Mobility Awareness Training,” the course will provide participants with an awareness of, and appropriate responses to, customers with physical, sensory, mental, and  hidden disabilities, as well as those using service animals.

Disability and Reduced Mobility Awareness Training is mandated for airline and airport frontline staff not only in the US under the Air Carrier Access Act but also in Canada under the Canada Transportation Act and in Europe under EC 1107.

The self-paced eLearning module takes approximately 2 hours to complete and costs $95 per enrollment.

Featured Project

ADA Motorcoach Training

In January 2012 Open Doors Organization (ODO), in cooperation with the United Motorcoach Association (UMA), launched a new training program for intercity and charter/tour bus operators. The program is designed to help companies meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and also provide the best possible service to their clients with disabilities including older travelers.

The lively, full-day training is conducted by two trainers, one a disability expert from ODO, the other a UMA board member and motorcoach operator. The morning session, which covers ADA basics, disability awareness and service on the coach, is for all personnel including drivers. The afternoon session, which addresses company policies and procedures, is for management
and sales staff.

The training is being marketed to state bus associations as well as to individual companies and groups of companies. For details and pricing, email
Laurel Van Horn, Director of Programs.

ADA Motorcoach Training Flyer

Next Group Training:
Grantville, PA, April 24, 9am – 5pm
Holiday Inn Harrisburg Exit 80 Off I-81
Sponsored by Pennsylvania Bus Association
For details, email Elaine Farrell