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UAIA 2024 Update
The 2024 Universal Access in Aviation took place at Embassy Suites, Downtown Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA, on Sept. 24-26, co-hosted by the Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines. The ODO Airline Symposium was set for Tues., Sept. 24, from 10am to 3pm, at Alaska Airlines’ newest corporate office, “The Hub.” For the first time ever, we hosted an Airport ADA Workshop on Tues., Sept. 24, from 1pm to 4:30pm, at the conference hotel. It was open to all UAIA delegates from airports. This pre-conference event focused on the unique challenges and responsibilities of ADA Coordinators in the airport setting and fostered the exchange of best practice solutions. That evening we all came together to mingle and network at the UAIA Welcome Party, kicking off at 5:30 pm at Embassy Suites. Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities
ACRP 0723
The Open Doors Organization consults on several research projects including ACRP 0723: Safety, Empowerment, and Dignity: Improving the Airport Journey of Customers Using Wheelchairs. The airport can often be a frustrating environment for someone who utilizes a wheelchair for mobility. ACRP 0732 aims to develop a handbook to help airport industry practitioners meet the needs of wheelchair users and enhance their personal safety, empowerment, and dignity.
Service Animal Forms Portal
The Open Doors Organization (ODO) helps airlines review and process service animal forms. Currently, these airlines include Jet Blue, British Airways, Alaska Air Group, Sun Country, and Allegiant. To do this, ODO has a portal that can be accessed here where travelers with disabilities can access the form, submit the form, and send in their travel notification to the airline. For further details, access the Service Animal Forms portion of this website.
Complaints Resolution Official (CRO) Training
The Open Doors Organization provides Complaints Resolution Official (CRO) training to airlines. Some of the airlines that have participated in the training course include Alaska Airlines, Jet Blue, and Air Canada. A CRO is an advocate for individuals with disabilities in the airport. Their job is to find solutions suiting both the individual and the airline when a problem with accessibility arises. They solve these problems by utilizing the U.S. Air Carrier Access Act (Part 382). This training program aims to help future CRO’s understand Part 382 and its requirements, to develop awareness of the main types of disabilities and how to appropriately interact with, respond to and assist customers with disabilities, and to feel empowered to make decisions on behalf of their airline that will benefit customers with disabilities. Years of conducting this training program has made ODO staff experts in the ins and outs of Part 382 and CRO responsibilities. Additionally, several ODO staff members have disabilities themselves, providing an imperative perspective during this training. If you’re currently looking to train more future CROs, please check out our upcoming CRO training session March 26th. If requested, CRO training can be scheduled outside of the times available. For more information about the training and how to purchase training click here.
Stowage Training
The Open Doors Organization created a stowage training program for airline ground crews due to the high rates of mobility devices being damaged. The goal of the program is to teach the value of assistive devices, create confidence while handling assistive devices, and prepare the crew for what they need to do if something goes wrong. The training also provides demonstrations and hands-on learning opportunities for how to safely stow several types of assistive devices. This half-day training course has been provided at multiple major airports since 2010 in partnership with Global Repair Group. For more information about the training click here.
MEM Terminal Modernization and Seismic Program (TMSP)
This multi-year contract with a budget topping $500 million, led by Alliiance and UrbanARCH Associates, represents an important first for Open Doors Organization. Right from the preliminary design process, ODO has a seat at the table to share its expertise on the ADA, Universal Design and Equitable Access. Kicking off in 2022, this program continues the modernization process that has already transformed the concourse at Memphis International Airport.