Important Info for Travelers with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses

By: Olegario D. Cantos VII, Associate Director for Domestic Policy, The White House
ocantos@who.eop.gov  

As you may very well imagine, the developments in the United Kingdom whose details were announced early yesterday morning (also see below) have given rise for heightened security at all of our nation's airports. Amidst all of the adjustments resulting from immediate changes to security check-in procedures, the Bush Administration remains mindful of the needs of travelers with disabilities, those with medical conditions, and mature persons.

Shortly after public revelation of the situation abroad, the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC), led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) activated its Incident Management Team, composed of agency leaders from across government. As a result, within hours, a statement was drafted for distribution to members of the general public. This piece was the result of involvement by the disability arm of the White House Domestic Policy Council, members of the ICC, and two internal DHS components -- the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the Transportation Security Administration.

We urge you to distribute the following information as broadly as possible. We also recommend that air travelers print a copy of this email and have it handy for on-site reference. The information below re-emphasizes that assistive technology, mobility aids, medication, and other items used by members of the disability community and others continue to be permitted beyond security checkpoints. Details are also provided on where to call or email to address related concerns, resources to visit for further information, and steps that individuals may take to make the security check-in process as smooth as possible.

I want you to know how grateful I am to you for spreading word about what follows. Doing so will have the collective effect of preventing difficulties from occurring at the outset while providing the traveling public with specific resources to assist in addressing issues of critical concern.
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Over the last 24 hours, British authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom. The nation's threat level has been raised to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States. To defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, the threat level has been raised to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States.

The intent of this message is to alert potential air travelers with disabilities, those with medical conditions, and the mature of the elevated threat level, encourage them to take proactive and necessary steps to alleviate potential adverse impacts, and provide connections to further information and assistance.

The following quotes are extracted from DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff's press conference yesterday:

• "In light of the nature of the liquid explosive devices which were designed by the plotters, we are temporarily banning all liquids in carry-ons in aircraft cabins. That means no liquids or gels will be allowed in carry-on baggage. Any liquids or gels have to be checked as part of baggage to go into the hold. There will be exceptions for baby formula and medicines, but travelers must be prepared to present these items for inspection at the checkpoint, and that will allow us to take a look at them and make sure that they're safe to fly."

• "Today, air traffic is safe. And air traffic will remain safe precisely because of the measures we are adopting today. People should be patient, but they need not cancel their travel plans. They simply need to be aware there may be some delays and they may want to check with their carriers to see whether they ought to adjust their arrival times at airports."

Overall guidance to travelers with disabilities is located on the web site of the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at: http://www.tsa.gov. This guidance includes tips specific to those with disabilities and medical conditions.

TSA's Checkpoint Security Screening Procedures for persons with disabilities, individuals with medical conditions, and the mature have not changed as a result of the current threat situation.

All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continue to be allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.

Items permitted beyond the checkpoint include: Wheelchairs; scooters; crutches; canes; walkers; prosthetic devices; casts; support braces; support appliances; service animals; any and all diabetes-related medication, equipment, and supplies; orthopedic shoes; exterior medical devices; assistive/adaptive equipment; augmentation devices; ostomy supplies; medications and associated supplies; hearing aids; cochlear implants; tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly; personal supplemental oxygen; CPAP machines; respirators; CO2 personal oxygen concentrators; baby apnea monitors; Braille note takers; slate and stylus; tools for prosthetic devices; and any other disability-related equipment.

Current restrictions prohibit liquids, gels, or lotions (except baby formula/milk and medications) through the security screening checkpoints and onboard the aircraft. This includes common items, such as, but not limited to: beverages, perfume/cologne, shampoo, shaving cream, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gels, saline solution. Such items are recommended for transport in checked baggage.

It is also recommended that those with medications only take the amount of medication essential to sustain them until arrival at their final destination. Additional medication can be placed in checked baggage or mailed to their final destination. This will help speed up the screening process and avoid additional delays.

Travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature may want to consider the following:

• Arriving at the airport well in advance, 2-3 hours prior to flight
• Following all published rules on carry-on items and medications
• Viewing TSA website tips for persons with disabilities and medical conditions and other TSA screening advisements located on TSAs website under "Our Travelers"
• Bringing documentation on medications, devices, medical condition where possible. This is not a requirement and will not exempt a passenger from the screening process.
• Packing medications in a clear bag separate from other carry-on items/bags
• Exercising patience with the lines, delays, and stringent screening procedures