[nfbwatlk] Fw: UPDATED TRAVEL ADVISORY for persons with disabilities (fwd)

Fri Aug 25 10:48:28 CDT 2006

Too much verbage but good info nonetheless. Olie Cantos is a 
Federationist.

Mike Freeman

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:04:33 -0400
From: Carlos J montas <montascarlos at hotmail.com>
Reply-To: NFB of Florida Listserv <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
To: NFB of Florida Listserv <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Fw: UPDATED TRAVEL ADVISORY for persons with disabilities

this information is important for all travelers with disabilities.
----- Original Message -----
From: Yu, Fenglan
To: Clearinghouse at myflorida.com
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 2:46 PM
Subject: FW: UPDATED TRAVEL ADVISORY for persons with disabilities

Good Afternoon Everyone. This is an update of the White House travel advisory we forwarded to you last week regarding "Critical Information for Air Travelers with Disabilities, Those with Medical Conditions, and Mature Persons."  This message contains additional information on what to know before you travel, prohibited items, and where to go for further information.

We realize that this may not apply to everybody but we are sending it to all of our lists anyway because we think it is important.

Thanks,

Julie Shaw

Executive ADA Administrator

Governor's Working Group on the ADA

----- Original Message -----

From: Cantos, Olegario D. <Olegario_D._Cantos at who.eop.gov>

To: Shaw, Julie

Sent: Fri Aug 18 15:58:49 2006

Subject: UPDATED TRAVEL ADVISORY

TO:

Julie Shaw

Executive ADA Administrator

Governor's Working Group on the ADA

FR:

Olegario D. Cantos VII, Esq.

Associate Director on Disabilities

Domestic Policy Council

The White House

- - - - - - - - - -

Happy Friday to you, Julie!  It is a pleasure being in touch with you yet again.  Last week, I sent you an advisory for air travelers with disabilities, those with medical needs, and mature persons.  Since that time, statement language has been updated further to clarify the fact that present policies do indeed factor in the needs of such individuals.  The information comes to us from the Office of Screening for Persons with Disabilities within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Please share this information with members of your online network, and encourage folks to print out copies for possible distribution to others who may not have access to a computer.

For the past several years, Sandra Cammaroto, the Office's Branch Chief, has played the leading role in addressing security screening issues within a disability context and has reached out to and formed strong working alliances with 58 organizations and agencies within the field of work with individuals with disabilities, including disability consumer organizations, prosthetic device manufacturers, assistive technology providers, electronic medical technology manufacturers, government agencies, veterans organizations, leaders in specific industries serving the general public, and others.  She is also directly in touch with me, and we are working on an ongoing basis in coordination with many others to address a myriad of issues and to help ensure clarity as travelers seek to understand their own rights and the obligations of the more than 14,000 screeners as well as others.  Please use the process described in what follows to address your concerns.  Type "Air Travelers with Disabilities" in the subject line to assist me with sorting incoming correspondence, and do feel free by all means to keep me CC'd so that I may personally monitor responsiveness and assist in troubleshooting when necessary as you work through the communication channels that have been put into place for the benefit and assistance of those facing difficulties.  In addition, officials in DHS's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties are on standby and are endeavoring continually and aggressively to confronting issues that arise.  In short, this is all a team effort.

On a more personal note, Julie, ironically later today within the next three hours, I will be flying home to celebrate my birthday with family.  Depending on how you look at it, I will be turning 18 for the second time, 9 for the fourth time, 6 for the sixth time, 4 for the ninth time, or just plain 36!  However way it is sliced, I am excited to be getting a few days of R&R, although I will be back by Wednesday morning.  If a matter comes up that is urgent between now and then in which my personal help is necessary, please call us here at the White House, and so indicate.  The incredible staff here are being given instructions regarding how to find me if absolutely necessary.  Other than that, I will have no access to email and limited access to voicemail.  This mini-vacation is something that came right out of the blue as my parents surprised me by very recently inviting me home to be with loved ones.  I miss them all so much, and I can't wait to see them!  But, fresh after my return, I expect to jump right back into things and to do everything within my ability to be of service and support, both to folks individually and as the White House continues to put into place policies, practices, and procedures that benefit the disability community.  (Believe me.  More good news on the way soon.)

Warmest wishes to you, and I look forward to being in touch with you after I get back!  I have so much more to tell you, and I will eagerly do so within a few days of my return.  Thanks, Julie; and, have a spectacular weekend!

--Ollie

- - - - - - - - - -

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Due to enhanced security measures, liquids, gels, lotions, and other items of similar consistency will not be permitted in carry-on baggage. These types of items must be packed in your checked baggage.  Additionally, liquids, gels, and lotions purchased beyond the checkpoint must be disposed of before boarding the aircraft.  To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers the following items are permitted.

      * Baby formula, breast milk, or milk if a baby or small child is traveling.

      * Liquid or gel prescription medicines with a name that matches the passenger's ticket (name on bottle must match your ticket).

      * Liquids (to include juice and water) or gels for persons with diabetes or other medical conditions in quantities up to 5 oz per container.

      * Essential non-prescription liquid and gel medications up to 4 oz per container (to include saline solution, eye care products, and KY jelly).

      * Gel-filled bras and similar prosthetics worn for medical reasons.

      * Gel-filled wheelchair cushions.

      * Life support and life sustaining liquids (bone marrow, blood products, body organs).

We encourage everyone to pack gel-filled bras in their checked baggage. We recognize the sensitivity of the issue, and we are reaching out to key women's medical associations to assist passengers and make information available to them while respecting their privacy.  Passengers with medical gel prosthetics will be permitted through security checkpoints.  All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continue to be allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.

Disability and medically-related 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 and associated supplies.

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

People with Disabilities, those with prosthetic devices, and those with medical conditions DO NOT have to remove their shoes during this heightened security level, nor has this been the case during routine travel times.   Those who keep their shoes on will be subjected to additional screening that includes a visual/physical and explosive trace detection sampling of their footwear.

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items such as lipstick, lip balm, and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel, or aerosol.  Only the items mentioned above are permitted in your carry-on bags and through security checkpoints once they have been screened.  If you have questions or doubts on certain items, place those in your checked baggage.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

To help you understand what you should or should not bring in your carry-on baggage, we have provided the following list of common items you may be traveling with. Remember, liquids, gels and aerosols are prohibited. Please leave those items at home or pack them in your checked baggage:

      * Makeup and Personal Items.

      * Aerosol spray bottles and cans.

      * All creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc.

      * Bug and mosquito sprays and repellents.

      * Deodorants made of gel or aerosol.

      * Hair styling gels and spray of all kinds including aerosol.

      * Hair straightener or detangler.

      * Lip gels such as Carmex or Blistex.

      * Liquid lip glosses or other liquids for lips.

      * Liquid bubble bath including gel or liquid filled bubble bath balls or bath oils or moisturizers.

      * Liquid foundations.

      * Liquid, gel or spray perfumes or colognes.

      * Liquid sanitizers.

      * Liquid soaps.

      * Liquid mascara.

      * Make up removers or facial cleansers.

      * Mouthwash.

      * Nail polish and removers.

      * Shampoos and conditioners.

      * Toothpaste.

      Food and drinks:

      * All beverages.

      * Cheese in pressurized containers.

      * Gel-based sports supplements.

      * Jellos.

      * Pudding.

      * Whipped cream.

      * Yogurt or gel like food substances.

      Other items:

      * Gel-type candles.

      * Gel shoe inserts.

Please keep in mind that, while we cannot provide an exhaustive list of items that cover all eventualities, all liquids, gels, or aerosols of any kind are prohibited at security checkpoints, in airport sterile areas, and aboard aircraft. You may pack these items in your checked baggage.

We ask for your cooperation in the screening process by being prepared before you arrive. We also ask that you follow the guidelines above and try not to over-think these guidelines. Please pack liquids, gels, and aerosols in your checked baggage even if you do not normally check a bag.

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 TSA's website under "Our Travelers".

      * Bringing documentation on medications, devices, and medical conditions 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.

      * Ensuring that medically-prescribed medication bottles (name on bottle) match your ticket.

      * Exercising patience with the lines, delays, and stringent screening procedures.

WHERE TO GO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

For additional information on transportation security, the Transportation Security Administration Contact Center may be reached at:

      1-866-289-9673 (Voice/Relay)

      tsa-contactcenter at dhs.gov  (Email)

      http://www.tsa.gov (Web)

For concerns about potential rights violations, contact the TSA Office of Civil Rights at:

      1-877-336-4872 (Voice)

      1-800-877-8339 (TTY)

      tsa-contactcenter at dhs.gov (Email)

For information about overall air travel accessibility, contact the Air Carrier Access Act Hotline of the Department of Transportation at:

      1-800-778-4838 (Voice)

      1-866- 754-4368 (TTY)

      airconsumer at ost.dot.gov

      http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov (Web)

- - - - - - - - - -

Olegario D. Cantos VII, Esq.

Associate Director for Domestic Policy

The White House

Washington, DC   20502

(202) 456-5594 [Voice/Relay]

(202) 456-5557 [Fax]

ocantos at who.eop.gov [Email]
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