FAA says rights of those with disabilities violated at Jackson-Evers International Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration says the authority for Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is violating the rights of those with disabilities by limiting their access to taxicab services.

The FAA opened an investigation in March after a complaint was made by a physically challenged man who had to wait for hours to get accessible vehicle services at the airport.

“We recognize this concern as an opportunity for improvement. We have a procedure in place to handle situations of this nature on a temporary basis, and we are working on long-term solutions now," said Jewell Davis, spokeswoman for Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. "We are also joining forces with our taxi service partners that are currently registered with the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority to ensure we deliver services that are in compliance with accessible taxi service requirements and are equivalent for all individuals of our community.”

Jackson resident Michael Hintz filed the complaint against the airport authority.

"Your complaint alleges discrimination against people with mobility disabilities at JAN (The airport code for Jackson-Evers) curbside loading area due to exclusion of accessible taxi vehicles through enforcement of the generally applicable JAN taxi licensing rules," FFA Naitonal External Operations Director Michael Freilich said in a letter to  Hintz, informing him of the action. "In addition, we investigated whether the Authority ensures that its licensees provide accessible taxi vehicles, to the extent required by applicable regulations."

The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority is responsible for rules and regulations governing the airport property.  

The FAA says airport authorities must ensure their programs and facilities are operated in an accessible manner and an airport authority may not, through licensing, or other arrangements, on the basis of disability, deny a qualified individual with a disability an opportunity to participate in or benefit from its taxi service program.

Airport authorities are also generally required to assist people with disabilities by
providing accommodations or modifications from policies and rules, where reasonable
and necessary for the person to access the airport’s programs and activities, under FAA rules.

Hintz said that on Jan. 11 an airport curbside attendant and airport police officer prevented him and another person from utilizing a pre-arranged accessible taxi because the vehicle was not registered with the city of Jackson or with the
authority, as required for all taxis to receive licenses to access the airport.

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Hintz said he informed airport staff that none of the taxi service provider vehicles then at the airport were accessible. Nonetheless, no deviation from the general rules was permitted and he waited while airport staff attempted to arrange for a registered accessible taxi vehicle. However, after waiting for over 2½ hours with no arrival of an accessible taxi, Hintz had a private vehicle pick him up.

The FAA found the authority was in violation of requirements to ensure registered taxi providers utilize accessible taxicabs or provide equivalent service.

The FAA says within 30 days of its letter, the authority must identify specific corrective
actions and timelines for coming into compliance with the following requirements:

• Require current and future taxi providers who acquire new vans or buses to utilize accessible vehicles or provide equivalent service.
• Develop a method for receiving, tracking and responding to requests for reasonable accommodation/modification. The procedure must be sufficiently publicized to the public.
• Train staff, contractors and tenants in requirements for provision.

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at 601-961-7212 orjgates@gannett.com. Follow him onFacebook andTwitter.