Welcome to the first-ever All Wheels Up Newsletter! We are thrilled to share some news with you about what we have been doing! All Wheels Up (AWU) is a nonprofit organization working hard to help make airplanes wheelchair accessible. We want people who use wheelchairs to be able to travel conveniently and safely in an airplane, while in the comfort of their wheelchair.  There are over 10 million people who use a wheelchair to get around.  We are just supplying what other forms of transportation already have set … to airplanes!

What's New

All Wheels Up has made significant headway into voicing out this need and human right. It is a pleasure to share with you the progress and media toward the goal of accessibility. Also, did you know that today is National Aviation Day in the U.S.? Observed every year on Orville Wright's Birthday, we celebrate the history of aviation today.

• We are already partnering with the pioneer company Q’Straint for the same lock and restraint system used in accessible vans and buses

• We had a big influence on the recent FAA Re-Authorization Act of 2018, specifically Sec 432 enforcing the FAA to further explore this accessibility approach

(a) Study.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, aircraft manufacturers, air carriers, and disability advocates, shall conduct a study to determine—

(1) the feasibility of in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems; and

(2) if feasible, the ways in which individuals with significant disabilities using wheelchairs, including power wheelchairs, can be accommodated with in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems.

(b) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the initiation of the study under subsection (a), the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings of the study."

• Michelle was also interviewed on BBC, where their video describes the current wheelchair user experience and the effort of All Wheels Up

Looking Up

All Wheels Up has made significant headway into voicing out this need and human right.  It is a pleasure to share with you the progress and media toward the goal of accessibility.  All of this is driven by advocates who are working voluntarily because it means so much to be able to travel to see friends and family, visit places, and live life to the fullest! Traveling is a form of accessibility and we are so thankful for the people and organizations who have assisted so far.

• We are continuing to work with regulators such as the FAA, airlines, airplane manufacturers, and Congress to see how we can make airplanes accessible.

• Our Annual Working Group will meet again in September and our Preliminary discussion points include Overview of AWU progress, AWU Survey Results, Current and upcoming projects, overall feasibility, and recent US legislation that will be an impact in this area of research. 

• The purpose of this group is to bring together key stakeholders for an open discussion of concerns, potential solutions, and the overall feasibility of this concept. Among the invited stakeholders are representatives from US and foreign air carriers, aircraft manufacturers, wheelchair securement system manufacturers, wheelchair manufacturers, regulatory agencies, Universities and crash testing facilities

• While we tested market tie downs wheelchairs, both tie down manufacturers and wheelchair manufacturers will need to go into R^D on specific tie downs for aviation purposes.

• There are a number of ways you can help be a part of something huge and we are already appreciative that you want to be kept informed. 

• Please spread the word about All Wheels Up!

• We would like to share a story in each newsletter, so if you have a flying experience that you would like to share, please send an email to stories@allwheelsup.org and we will contact you if your story has been chosen

• Look for our next newsletter