[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52112-52113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18173]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2018-0204]


Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee; Solicitation for 
Nominations

AGENCY:  Office of the Secretary (OST), Department of Transportation 
(Department).

ACTION:  Solicitation of memberships for appointment to the Air Carrier 
Access Act (ACAA) Advisory Committee (ACAA Advisory Committee or the 
Committee).

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SUMMARY: The Department is soliciting applications and nominations for 
memberships to the ACAA Advisory Committee. The ACAA Advisory Committee 
reviews issues related to the air travel needs of passengers with 
disabilities.

DATES: Nominations and applications for ACAA Advisory Committee 
membership must be received on or before September 14, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about the ACAA 
Advisory Committee, you may contact Vinh Nguyen, Office of Aviation 
Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation, by email at 
[email protected], or by telephone at 202-366-9342.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 439 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (2018 FAA Act) 
requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish an advisory 
committee to identify and assess barriers to accessible air travel, 
determine the extent to which DOT is addressing those barriers, 
recommend improvements, and advise the Secretary on implementing the 
ACAA. The 2018 FAA Act specifies that the ACAA Committee shall comprise 
at least one representative of each of the following groups: passengers 
with disabilities; national disability organizations; air carriers; 
airport operators; contractor service providers; aircraft 
manufacturers; wheelchair manufacturers; and national veteran 
organizations representing disabled veterans.
    In September 2019, the Department established the ACAA Advisory 
Committee, approved its charter, and appointed 19 members to serve on 
the ACAA Advisory Committee for 2-year terms. The Committee held public 
meetings in March 2020 and September 2021 and submitted a report with a 
number of recommendations to the Department in February 2022. The terms 
of the 19 Committee members have now expired. More information on the 
ACAA Advisory Committee is available online at www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/ACAACommittee.

II. Eligibility for Membership and Selection Criteria

    Because the terms of the previously appointed members have expired, 
the Department is soliciting new applications and nominations for 
individuals to serve on the ACAA Advisory Committee. Unless it is 
renewed, the Committee's charter expires on September 28, 2023, and 
individuals would be appointed to serve for a term not to exceed the 
life of the charter. Pursuant to the 2018 FAA Act and the ACAA Advisory 
Committee's Charter,\1\ the membership of the Committee shall comprise 
at least one

[[Page 52113]]

representative each of the following groups:
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    \1\ The ACAA Advisory Committee's Charter is available online at 
www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/charter-air-carrier-access-act-advisory-committee.
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    1. Passengers with disabilities;
    2. National disability organizations;
    3. Air carriers;
    4. Airport operators;
    5. Contractor service providers;
    6. Aircraft manufacturers;
    7. Wheelchair manufacturers; and
    8. National veterans' organizations representing disabled veterans.
    The chairperson will be designated from among the members 
appointed. The Department may select more than one representative for a 
group, if appropriate, to obtain a fairly balanced membership.
    The Department will choose members based on four main criteria:
    1. Representativeness (does the applicant represent a significant 
stakeholder group described above);
    2. Expertise (does the applicant bring essential knowledge, 
expertise, and/or experience regarding accessibility);
    3. Balance (do selected applicants comprise a balanced array of 
representative and expert stakeholders); and
    4. Willingness to participate fully (is the applicant able and 
willing to attend the listed meetings and generally contribute 
constructively to a rigorous policy development process).
    Individuals applying for membership should keep in mind that ACAA 
Advisory Committee members will be selected based on their ability and 
willingness to effectively represent the interests of all stakeholders 
in their category, as distinct from their parochial or personal 
interests. For example, an individual selected to serve on the 
Committee as a representative of ultra low cost carrier (ULCC) would 
represent not only his or her own airline, but all ULCCs. As such, the 
individual would be expected to consult with other airlines in bringing 
issues to the table and making decisions on proposals before the 
Committee.
    Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, 
or sexual orientation. Past members of the Committee will also be 
eligible to be nominated for or to seek reappointment on the Committee.

III. Process for Submitting Nominations

    Individuals can self-apply or be nominated by any individual or 
organization. To be considered for the ACAA Advisory Committee, 
applicants/nominators must submit the following information:
    1. Name, title, organization, and contact information (address, 
telephone number and email address) of nominee/applicant;
    2. Category of membership that the nominee/applicant is qualified 
to represent;
    3. Resume of the applicant or short biography of the nominee 
including professional and academic credentials;
    4. A statement of nomination on why the applicant wants to serve or 
the nominator is nominating the individual to serve, and the unique 
perspectives and expenses the nominee brings to the Committee;
    5. An affirmative statement that the applicant/nominee meets the 
eligibility requirements; and
    6. Optional letters of support.
    Please do not send company, trade association, organization 
brochures, or any other promotional information. Materials submitted 
should total five pages or less. Should more information be needed, 
Department staff will contact the applicant/nominee, obtain information 
from the applicant's/nominee's past affiliations, or obtain information 
from publicly available sources.
    All application/nomination materials must be submitted 
electronically via email to [email protected]. 
Applications and nominations must be received by September 14, 2022.

IV. Compensation for Members

    Pursuant to section 439(e) of the 2018 FAA Act, Committee members 
will be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses as permitted under 
applicable Federal travel regulations. Reimbursement is subject to 
funding availability. Committee members will receive no salary or other 
compensation for participation in Committee activities.
    The Secretary reserves the discretion to appoint members to serve 
on the ACAA Advisory Committee who were not nominated in response to 
this notice if necessary to meet specific statutory categories and 
departmental needs in a manner to ensure an appropriate balance of 
membership. Individuals selected for appointment to the ACAA Advisory 
Committee will be notified by return email and by a letter of 
appointment.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on or about this 15th day of August 
2022.
John E. Putnam,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2022-18173 Filed 8-23-22; 8:45 am]
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