[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59266-59267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23280]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is hosting a virtual Inclusive Language Summit to 
present and discuss recommendations the Agency has received that 
promote the institution of inclusive language throughout the FAA. The 
Summit will provide a platform for the public to comment and provide 
additional recommendations to the FAA as it develops an enterprise-wide 
initiative to adopt language that is both gender-neutral and inclusive. 
In the spirit of bringing all voices to the conversation, the FAA seeks 
participation from all members of the public; stakeholders in public 
agencies; academia; not-for profit institutions; individuals working in 
the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); and 
the aerospace community. Input from a diverse audience will assist the 
FAA in developing policies, procedures and plans for implementation of 
terminology that is inclusive in nature in all aspects of FAA 
governance and oversight as well as in the international context under 
FAA's global leadership.

DATES: The virtual meeting will be held on November 10, 2021, from 
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
    Requests for accommodations to a disability must be received by 
November 1, 2021. Written comments or recommendations will be received 
until November 30, 2021.

ADDRESSES: This will be a virtual meeting and livestreamed on FAA's 
social media platforms for members of the public to observe. To 
observe, follow FAA social media platforms on the day of the event at 
https://www.facebook.com/FAA, https://www.youtube.com/FAAnews, or 
https://twitter.com/FAANews.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Cuddy, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone (202) 267-5869; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The FAA's mission is to provide the safest, most efficient 
aerospace system in the world. We strive to reach the next level of 
safety and efficiency and to demonstrate global leadership in how we 
safely integrate new users and technologies into our aerospace system. 
Because language matters, embracing diversity and inclusion will have a 
significant impact on bringing all voices into the conversation to help 
further the FAA's mission. To lead the aerospace industry into the next 
century, the FAA must actively promote values of DEIA. The words and 
language that we use in all communication channels, both for internal 
and external use, as well as rules, regulations and associated policies 
and guidance, must match this objective. If any individual employee, 
contractor or industry partner feels excluded or marginalized because 
of language or words, the work of the agency suffers and opportunities 
for achievement are diminished.
    The FAA has initiated efforts to expand inclusive language across 
the Agency. In 2019, the FAA first tasked the Federal Women's Program 
to begin to develop recommendations for gender neutral language. 
Furthermore, in February 2021, the FAA tasked the Drone Advisory 
Committee (DAC) to develop recommendations for gender-neutral language 
as an alternative to gender specific terms currently used in the drone 
and aviation communities. The FAA also tasked DAC to take the lead to 
facilitate the adoption of gender-neutral language throughout the drone 
community and provide recommendations that organizations across the 
industry and community can implement. The DAC presented its 
recommendations to the FAA in June 2021 and they are posted on the 
FAA's DAC web page.\1\ Please refer to page 110 of the June 2021 DAC 
meeting ebook for a recommended list of changes.
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    \1\ See pages 97-136 of the Drone Advisory Committee Public e-
Book at https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/drone_advisory_committee/media/DAC_Public_eBook_06_23_2021.pdf.

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[[Page 59267]]

    The FAA acknowledges that many of the terms that the DAC proposed 
to incorporate are not new words, nor are they new to aviation. The 
DAC's recommendations, in addition to other similar concurrent 
initiatives, have sparked a wider conversation across the Agency about 
formally embracing more inclusive language, including terminology that 
is gender-neutral. Replacing gender-based terms with new inclusive 
terminology is expected to create a more inclusive and accepting 
environment within the FAA and the aerospace industry as a whole. 
However, the FAA recognizes the importance of gathering public input on 
the proposed DAC terminology, as well as alternative terminology, that 
FAA should consider adopting in furtherance of its goal to ensure 
equality, which can only be accomplished through the elimination of 
bias and discrimination on the basis of sex, including the person's 
sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy. The FAA notes that 
implementation of policies and plans related to the adoption of 
inclusive terminology may necessitate changes in legislation, as well 
as rules and regulations. However, the FAA is committed to ensuring FAA 
is both a workplace and a regulatory agency free of bias and 
discrimination in all practices.

II. Public Participation

    The Inclusive Language Summit is open to the public. Members of the 
public will have an opportunity to provide feedback or additional 
recommendations to the Agency's proposal to adopt language that is more 
inclusive.
    Members of the public are also welcome to submit written 
recommendations. Please send written documents to the email address in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    In the spirit of bringing all voices to the conversation, the FAA 
seeks participation from all members of the public; stakeholders in 
public agencies; academia; not-for profit institutions; individuals 
working in the area of DEIA; and the aviation community. Input from a 
diverse audience will assist the FAA in developing policies and 
procedures that are inclusive in nature and strengthen the FAA's goal 
of becoming an employer of choice and the Agency's mission to be a 
global aerospace leader.
    The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed to providing 
equal access to this meeting for all participants. If you need 
alternative formats or services because of a disability, such as sign 
language, interpretation, or other ancillary aids, please contact the 
person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Members of the public may submit comments and questions for the 
FAA's consideration to the email address listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section. On the day of the event participants will 
be given the opportunity to ask questions in near real time through a 
link provided on the FAA's social media pages located in ADDRESSES 
section.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Timothy R. Adams,
Acting Executive Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2021-23280 Filed 10-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P