Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This landmark civil rights legislation was signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in a wide range of public settings. HLAA was instrumental in getting accessible communications, such as captioning and assistive listening systems, included in the ADA over three decades ago, and continues to advocate on behalf of the 50 million Americans with hearing loss.
Key ADA communication requirements for people with hearing loss:
- Employers with more than 15 employees must provide reasonable accommodations on request, including assistive listening systems for employees with hearing loss.
- Public places like movie theaters, lecture halls and stadiums must provide effective communication for people with hearing loss, such as hearing loops, captioning or a sign language interpreter.
- Health care settings are included as public places that must provide accommodations for people with hearing loss.
- State and local government services, programs or activities including but not limited to schools, health care, courts and voting are required to make “reasonable modifications” when necessary to accommodate people who have disabilities.
- Telecommunications section of the ADA requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure the provision of Telecommunications Relay Services, including wired captioned telephone services (CTS), internet protocol CTS, TTY relay and video relay services.
- The ADA set standards for assistive listening systems such as hearing loop, infrared and FM systems. The standards also require minimum performance levels for volume, interference and distortion.
Do you know your rights when you fly?
Air travelers with hearing loss have the right to receive the same services and information as travelers without disabilities, as mandated by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) of 1986. Airlines must ensure access to information at ticketing, the gate, on board and baggage.
- Self-identify as a person with hearing loss at each point in the airport and on the plane.
- You have the right to request preboarding if you cannot hear the gate announcements.
- When you board, ask flight personnel to directly communicate emergency announcements, gate changes, etc.
- In-flight safety videos are required to be captioned.
- If there is no video, flight attendants should ensure you have access to written materials that share the same information.
- Airlines must permit a service animal to accompany a passenger with a disability.
The recent passage of the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, which included key accessibility provisions for people with hearing loss and other disabilities, will further enhance air travel safety in the near future. HLAA was among a coalition of consumer advocacy groups that strongly supported these measures.
KNOW YOUR TRAVEL RIGHTS UNDER THE AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT (ACAA)
HLAA is also working with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA to incorporate captioning and other accessible communications in airports and on flights.
In 2023, we collaborated with DOT and other organizations on a public campaign to expand awareness of the Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights.
HLAA’s Ongoing Advocacy
HLAA is a trusted voice of consumers for numerous federal agencies, advisory committees, industry collaborations and working groups, ensuring that public policy and technology meet the needs of people with hearing loss.