Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions
Announcement from the Transportation Security Administration
One of the primary goals of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is to provide the highest level of security and customer service to all who pass through our screening checkpoints. Our current policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers, regardless of their personal situations and needs, are treated equally and with the dignity, respect, and courtesy they deserve. Although every person and item must be screened before entering each sterile area, it is the manner in which the screening is conducted that is most important.
In order to achieve that goal, TSA has established a program for screening of persons with disabilities and their associated equipment, mobility aids, and devices. Our program covers all categories of disabilities (mobility, hearing, visual, and hidden). As part of that program, we established a coalition of over 60 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.
The purpose of this advisement is to provide those with disabilities and medical conditions with changes related to the ban on liquids, aerosols, and gels effective Tuesday, September 26.
Since the initial total ban on liquids, gels and aerosols took effect on August 10, we have learned enough from the UK investigation to say with confidence that small, travel size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers. We are confident in our increased security measures throughout the airport. Therefore, passengers can purchase drinks in the secure boarding area and bring them aboard their flights.
The US and UK have continued to work closely together and have shared technical and threat information with partners in Canada and the European Union. These measures are being simultaneously adopted in partnership with the Canadian government, and the EU is also considering these measures.
The needs for the changes are to support the sustainability of the security system. We are working with the airlines and airports to make these changes. The aviation sector continues to operate at Homeland Security threat level Orange or high and will remain so for the foreseeable future. It is unlikely that further adjustments to the ban on liquids, gels and aerosols will be made in the near future.
You are now allowed to carry travel-size toiletries (3 ounce or less) in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, sealable bag through security checkpoints.
In addition, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board the aircraft.
We are continuing to permit prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditions. This includes:
• All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
• Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
• Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
• Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.
However, if the liquid medications are in volumes larger than 3 ozs each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to a Transportation Security Officer. A declaration can be made verbally, in writing, or by a person's companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member.
Declared liquid medications and other liquids for disabilities and medical conditions must be kept separate from all other property submitted for x-ray screening .
For more information on these measures, please read our letter outlining this policy. Changes in Allowances for Persons with Disabilities at Airport Security Checkpoints (PDF 101 KB)
For more details on what is or is not permitted through screening and aboard your plane, please read our information on Permitted and Prohibited Items .
We recommend, but not require, that passengers bring along any supporting documentation (ID cards, letter from doctor, etc.) regarding their medication needs. We also recommend, but not require, that the label on prescription medications match the passengers boarding pass. If the name on prescription medication label does not match the name of the passenger, the passenger should expect to explain why to the security officers. To ensure a smooth screening process, passengers are encouraged to limit quantities to what is needed for the duration of the flight.
Passengers will still be required to remove their shoes as part of the screening process, however, persons with disabilities, medical conditions, and prosthetic devices DO NOT have to remove their shoes. Those who keep their shoes on will be subjected to additional screening that includes a visual/physical and explosive trace detection sampling of their footwear while the footwear remains on their feet.
Lastly, TSA's checkpoint security screening procedures for persons with disabilities and, medical conditions have not changed as a result of the current threat situation. All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continue to be allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.
Additional Resources
If you have additional concerns or questions you can also contact TSA's Call Center.
Toll-free - 1-866-289-9673
E-mail - tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov
For concerns about potential civil rights violations, you can contact TSA's Office of Civil Rights.
Toll-free - 1-877-336-4872
TTY - 800-877-8339
E-mail - tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov
For information about overall air travel accessibility:
DOT Air Carrier Access Hotline
Toll-free - 1-800-778-4838
Internet - www.airconsumer.ost.dot.gov
E-mail - airconsumer@ost.dot.gov