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By iCan News Service
January
10, 2002
(iCan) -- What do the new FAA guidelines mean
for travelers who use wheelchairs? New security measures may include
greater scrutiny and more detailed searches of wheelchairs. Security
personnel may not be familiar with assistive technology.
Being prepared may make it easier for people
with disabilities to get through our nation's airports. Here are
some of the situations you may face and what you can do to save time
and ensure no damage to your wheelchair.
Be prepared: Unlike in the past,
security may do more detailed searches of your person and your
chair. Be prepared to stand, if possible, or transfer to another
chair. Even if it's not your normal practice, it may be a good idea
to have someone you trust, like a friend or personal assistant,
accompany you to security in the event you are asked to transfer.
Know your chair: Airport personnel may
view wheelchairs as a security risk. Security may want to
disassemble your chair or disconnect the battery. You or an
assistant should be able take your chair apart. If this is not
possible it may be a good idea to have a copy of the owner's manual
or even copies of schematics. This will make it easier for security
and quicker for you to get to your plane. (Information on top
manufacturers -- and how to get their manuals -- is at the bottom of
the page.)
Battery: The FAA requires that any
chair on board use a sealed battery or maintenance free battery. Old
"add water" batteries are corrisive and may explode in
extreme pressure.
In many cases, security may want to disconnect
your chair's battery. In most cases, this is unnecessary. Most
wheelchairs manufactured today use a "gel" battery, rather
than water and chemicals, which create acid. Since there is no
"battery acid," there is no danger of explosion or fire.
If security officers insist, be prepared to disconnect the battery
or show them the procedure.
Having information available decreases the
possibility of accidental damage to your chair. According to Kim
Poppke, analyst of policy issues related to disabilities, for
American Airlines, batteries must be clearly marked with a
manufacturers sticker that says the words "non-spillable"
or it will be detached.
Manufacturers will send these stickers or
other instructions by fax or mail if you request them. It is also a
good idea to carry the right tool to disconnect the battery when
traveling through security. Some manufacturers will send tools, upon
request.
Each chair and battery is different; if your
battery is disconnected at security, make sure it's reconnected
properly. "Most people just assume it's like a car battery, but
it's not. Batteries have to be connected in a real specific
way," says John Flores, a technician at Everest and Jennings.
Canes/walkers: Is your cane or walker
hollow tubing or solid? It may be inspected, too. Let security know
if you cannot stand without it, before it's inspected.
Call ahead: Many airlines will need to
make arrangements for their customers with disabilities. Do you need
help with luggage? Will you need assistance getting to the terminal?
Will you have a personal assistant? The new guidelines have changed
many of the policies dealing with these areas. Don't assume each
airline or airport has the same policy providing assistance. Always
call ahead and let the airline know your needs.
Contact
wheelchair makers for help in battery removal
Following are some major wheelchair
manufacturers and their customer service support information, from
which you can request owner's manuals or other information about
your chair prior to traveling:
TEFTEC MOBILITY
www.teftec.com;
San Antonio, Texas, (888) 234-1433
Customer service: Representatives are
available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Central time) Monday through Friday, and
they check voicemail for weekend emergencies.
Owner's manual: Teftec will mail or fax
the owner's manual upon request. A video that details chair care is
available upon request.
Battery: There are two pages that deal
specifically with the battery installation.
Note: If your chair is damaged during
inspection, Teftec will send the replacement parts via airmail; in
some cases these parts arrive in just a few hours.
ELECTRIC MOBILITY
www.rascalscooters.com,
Sewell, New Jersey, (800) 257-7795
Customer service: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday;Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday;
closed Sunday.
Owner's manual: This or other
information can be faxed upon request. In case of repair, Electric
Mobility has over 500 facilities across the country. They are
willing to make "house calls" if necessary. In general, EM
products weigh 165-185 pounds and can be completely disassembled for
travel.
Battery: They are secured by two Velcro
straps and can be unplugged.
INVACARE
www.invacare.com,
Elyria, Ohio, (800) 333-6900
Customer service: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday. Customer service hours are staggered so
representatives are available at those times in every time zone.
EVEREST & JENNINGS
Atlanta, Georgia, (800) 347-5678
Customer service: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Monday-Friday. You can request schematics of the wheelchair by
phone.
Battery: Everest & Jennings will
fax disconnect/reconnect instructions if necessary. Owners can also
request an additional tool used to attach or disconnect terminals,
although it says a half-inch open-ended wrench works fine.
Note: Because two batteries power the
chair, they need to be wired "sequentially" when
reconnected. Wiring instructions are located on the inside of the
battery housing.
MERITS HEALTH PRODUCTS
www.meritshealth.com,
Fort Myers, Florida, (800) 963-7487
Customer service: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Owner's manual: Customers can call for
an owner's manual.
Battery: Two batteries are color-coded
and should match up when reattached.
Note: Winston Anderson, president of
Merits Health, a scooter user and international traveler, suggests
that Merit customers take the "shroud," or piece that
covers the battery and gearbox, off of their chair before going
through airports. This allows security personnel to see that nothing
is hidden underneath the chair.
PERMOBIL
www.permobil.com,
Nashville, Tennessee, (800) 736-0925
Customer service: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
(Central Time)
Owner's manual: Available through
dealerships.
Note: Permobil does not ship parts for
damaged chairs. Although Permobil recommends your first call should
be to the dealer where you purchased your chair, it says batteries
range from very easy to difficult to disconnect. So if you don't
know how to do it, show the owner's manual to airport personnel.
Also, be careful not to damage other systems when removing the
battery.
QUICKIE
www.quickie-wheelchairs.com,
Phoenix, Arizona, (800) 236-4215
Customer service: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
(Mountain Time)
This article is
reprinted from iCan.com (http://www.ican.com).
iCan.com is the online community for iCan! Inc., a services company
that provides information, expertise, and solutions designed to
enhance the lives of people with disabilities and the individuals
and organizations that wish to support them.
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