SCREENING THE DISABLED

By Guest Blogger Kimberly Walton, Special Counselor, Transportation Security Administration

As our Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) continues to rollout across the country, more and more people with disabilities, especially those with mobility disabilities, have questions and concerns about how they'll be screened at our checkpoints.

First of all, anyone who can stand without a mobility aid, cane, crutches, walker, etc., for 5-7 seconds with their arms raised above shoulder level is eligible for AIT screening. If you are eligible, but choose to opt out of AIT screening, you will be escorted to a screening area or if requested, to a private screening area for a pat-down.

People who are unable to stand independently with their arms above their heads are not eligible for AIT screening. Neither are people accompanied by service animals or those carrying oxygen tanks.

People who can walk with a mobility device and those with service animals can undergo Walk Through Metal Detector (WTMD) screening, or they have the option of requesting a pat-down. Nobody, however, should ever try to persuade you to walk through the metal detector or the AIT machine if you indicate this is something you can't or do not wish to do.

Persons in wheelchairs who are unable to walk or stand will receive a pat-down while they remain seated in their wheelchairs/scooters. The wheelchair/scooter will also be inspected thoroughly, and any removable pouches, fanny packs, etc. must undergo X-ray screening.

Pat-downs can be performed in public view, or in a private area, and will be performed by an officer who is of the same gender as the person being screened. There will always be a witness present for private screenings. You can also have a companion, family member or personal assistant remain with you throughout the screening, whether it occurs in the public or private screening areas. They may, however, have to be rescreened after they assist you.

You can choose to go to the front of the screening line and use any screening lane you choose. You don't have to use the screening lane designated for people with disabilities or wheelchairs.

We understand there are many different types of disabilities, and we've found that communication between the officer and the passenger needs to be clear and concise. The officers need to communicate what needs to be done security-wise, and the passenger has to communicate the best way for our officers to screen them. Being able to take a step back and talk through the process is an extremely important step to making the screening process work most efficiently for both the passenger and the officer.

It's also possible to coordinate your screening in advance. Passengers with disabilities can contact one of our Customer Support Managers to coordinate their screening. This way, they can have a chance to speak with an expert and explain the best possible way to be screened prior to arriving at the airport.

We understand that some people choose not to disclose their disability; however, if you choose to do so, it can really help expedite the screening process. A notification template is available for organizations and their constituents to print out and bring with them to the airport. This card can be used to discreetly provide information about a person's medical condition or disability to our officers. The card does not exempt anyone from screening. The purpose of the card is to let our officers know about your disability in a discreet manner.

When our officers are hired, they are given extensive training on screening passengers with disabilities, and they continue to receive recurring training throughout their TSA career. TSA has established a coalition of more than 70 disability-related groups and organizations to help us understand the concerns of persons with disabilities and medical conditions. These groups have assisted TSA with integrating the unique needs of persons with disabilities into our airport operations.

For more information, you can visit our Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions page.

Kimberly Walton is Special Counselor to the Administrator and to the Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Her office manages the timely sharing, coordination and protection of information related to transportation security, ensuring that employees and the traveling public are treated in a fair and lawful manner, consistent with federal laws and regulations protecting privacy, affording redress and information sharing, and prohibiting discrimination and reprisal. Walton also ensures that quality information is provided to TSA's stakeholders, the public and members of Congress.

Check out The TSA Blog for ongoing dialogue on innovations in security, technology and the checkpoint screening process.