Enacted in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on disability. Though some facilities still struggle to fully comply with the law’s guidelines, some facilities, including those with high profiles, have embraced the law’s provisions.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one such facility. The Federal Aviation Administration recently honored the airport — the world’s busiest — as winner of the 2018 Civil Rights Advocate and Partner ADA/Sec. 504 Award. The award lauded the airport’s efforts to enhance accessibility for passengers and guests with disabilities, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution
Led by its customer experience team, the organization has undertaken initiatives that include establishing an airport ADA committee advisory board, enhancing information desk services, and establishing a recurring program for detailed, internal self-evaluations.
“At Hartsfield-Jackson, we continue to strive to ensure a best-in-class experience is accessible to all of our guests,” says Balram ‘B’ Bheodari, interim airport general manager. “Receiving this award is a testament to all of our hard work.”
The advisory board serves as a catalyst for making the airport more accessible and user-friendly to travelers by identifying barriers and solutions and informing the public about services and initiatives. Improvements made to the airport information desks, including adding hearing loops and teletypewriter devices, supplement existing services.
This Quick Read was submitted by Ryan Berlin, managing editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
