[blindlaw] FW: Dept. of Transportation Proposes New ADA Rules for Cruise Ships

[Nightingale, Noel]

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-justice at jfanow.org [mailto:owner-justice at jfanow.org] On
Behalf Of Justice For All Moderator
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 2:04 PM
To: justice at jfanow.org
Subject: Dept. of Transportation Proposes New ADA Rules for Cruise Ships

Dept. of Transportation Proposes New ADA Rules for Cruise Ships

Dear Readers,

On account of the Supreme Court case of Spector v. Norweigan Cruise Line
in 2005, in which the Supreme Court ruled that the ADA applies to
foreign cruise vessels that enter U.S. waters despite their registration
in other countries, the Department of Transportation issued a formal
proposal last week addressing policies and conditions relating to
transportation of passengers with disabilities. The aim of the proposal
is to completely eliminate any discrimination in the treatment of people
with disabilities. It addresses how cruise lines have treated
individuals with disabilities and how that treatment must change once
ADA rules are implemented. The proposal does not address architectural
barriers or the operations of the vessels (which will be handled by the
U.S. Access Board separately).

If the proposal is adopted: 

- All assistive technology such as wheelchairs and scooters as
  well as service animals would be allowed without question.

- People with disabilities traveling on cruise lines will not have
  to identify themselves and register as special care guest
  prior to traveling. 

- The reservation process and all accompanying information will
  become fully accessible to all blind and deaf travelers.

- Fees associated with accommodations and assistance can not cost
  more than what an non-disabled individual would be charged.

- Cruise lines will not be allowed to require that a passenger
  with a disability travel with a companion or assistant if that
  individual did not feel it necessary; If a cruise line still
  feels one is necessary, it would have to provide one or allow
  free passage for an attendant chosen by the traveling individual
  with the disability.

- Travelers with disabilities would not have to sign a waiver of
  liability as a condition of traveling on cruise lines.

The Department of Transportation's proposal is currently under review
and open to comments from the public, cruise lines, and other
stakeholders until April 23, 2007. To read the entire filing and learn
more about how to contribute comments, visit: 
http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf100/443543_web.pdf.
 
Source: AAPD
________________________________________________________________

For more ADA in the News, see:
http://www.aapd.com/News/adainthe/indexada.php

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