---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 47145"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "47145"
heading: "Pilot program for airport accessibility"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/47145"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Aviation Programs"
  - "Part B — Airport Development and Noise"
  - "Chapter 471 — Airport Development"
  - "Subchapter I — Airport Improvement"
---

# §47145. Pilot program for airport accessibility

- (a) **In General.—** The Secretary of Transportation shall establish and carry out a pilot program to award grants to [sponsors](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26) to carry out capital [projects](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) to upgrade the accessibility of [commercial service airports](/usc/49/47102.md?p=7) for individuals with disabilities by increasing the number of [commercial service airports](/usc/49/47102.md?p=7), [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) terminals, or [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) facilities that meet or exceed the standards and regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ([42 U.S.C. 12131](/usc/42/12131.md) et seq.)[^1] and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ([29 U.S.C. 701](/usc/29/701.md) note)[^1].
- (b) **Use of Funds.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Subject to [paragraph (2)](#b-2), a [sponsor](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26) shall use a grant awarded under this section—
    - (A) for a [project](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) to repair, improve, or relocate the infrastructure of an [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9), [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) terminal, or [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) facility to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities, or as part of a plan to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities;
    - (B) to develop or modify a plan (as described in [subsection (e)](#e)) for a [project](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) that increases accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including—
      - (i) assessments of accessibility or assessments of planned modifications to an [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9), [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) terminal, or [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) facility for passenger use, performed by the disability advisory committee of the recipient [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) (if applicable), the protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the applicable [State](/usc/49/47102.md?p=27), a center for independent living, or a disability organization, including an advocacy or nonprofit organization that represents or provides services to individuals with disabilities; or
      - (ii) coordination by the disability advisory committee of the recipient [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) with a protection and advocacy system, center for independent living, or such disability organization; or
    - (C) to carry out any other [project](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) that meets or exceeds the standards and regulations described in [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (2) **Limitation.—** Eligible costs for a [project](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) funded with a grant awarded under this section shall be limited to the costs associated with carrying out the purpose authorized under [subsection (a)](#a).
- (c) **Eligibility.—** A [sponsor](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26) may use a grant under this section to upgrade a [commercial service airport](/usc/49/47102.md?p=7) that is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities—
  - (1) consistent with the current (as of the date of the upgrade) standards and regulations described in [subsection (a)](#a); and
  - (2) even if the related service, program, or activity, when viewed in the entirely of the service, program, or activity, is readily accessible and usable as so described.
- (d) **Selection Criteria.—** In making grants to [sponsors](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26) under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to [sponsors](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26) that are proposing—
  - (1) a capital [project](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) to upgrade the accessibility of a [commercial service airport](/usc/49/47102.md?p=7) that is not accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities consistent with standards and regulations described in [subsection (a)](#a); or
  - (2) to meet or exceed the [Airports](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) Council International accreditation under the Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation, through the incorporation of universal design principles.
- (e) **Accessibility Commitment.—** A [sponsor](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26) that receives a grant under this section shall adopt a plan under which the [sponsor](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26) commits to pursuing [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) accessibility [projects](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) that—
  - (1) enhance the passenger experience and maximize accessibility of [commercial service airports](/usc/49/47102.md?p=7), [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) terminals, or [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) facilities for individuals with disabilities, including by—
    - (A) upgrading bathrooms, counters, or pumping rooms;
    - (B) increasing audio and visual accessibility on information boards, security gates, or paging systems;
    - (C) updating [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) terminals to increase the availability of accessible seating and power outlets for durable medical equipment (such as powered wheelchairs);
    - (D) updating [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) websites and other information communication technology to be accessible for individuals with disabilities; or
    - (E) increasing the number of elevators, including elevators that move power wheelchairs to an [aircraft](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-6);
  - (2) improve the operations of, provide efficiencies of service to, and enhance the use of [commercial service airports](/usc/49/47102.md?p=7) for individuals with disabilities;
  - (3) establish a disability advisory committee if the [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) is a small, medium, or [large hub airport](/usc/49/47102.md?p=11); and
  - (4) make improvements in personnel, infrastructure, and technology that can assist passenger self-identification regarding disability and needing assistance.
- (f) **Coordination With Disability Advocacy Entities.—** In administering grants under this section, the Secretary shall encourage—
  - (1) engagement with disability advocacy entities (such as the disability advisory committee of the [sponsor](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26)) and a protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the applicable [State](/usc/49/47102.md?p=27), a center for independent living, or a disability organization, including an advocacy or nonprofit organization that represents or provides services to individuals with disabilities; and
  - (2) assessments of accessibility or assessments of planned modifications to [commercial service airports](/usc/49/47102.md?p=7) to the extent merited by the scope of the capital [project](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) of the [sponsor](/usc/49/47102.md?p=26) proposed to be assisted under this section, taking into account any such assessment already conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration.
- (g) **Federal Share of Costs.—** The Government’s share of allowable [project costs](/usc/49/47102.md?p=18) for a [project](/usc/49/47102.md?p=17) carried out with a grant under this section shall be the Government’s share of allowable [project costs](/usc/49/47102.md?p=18) specified under section 47109.
- (h) **Definitions.—** In this section:
  - (1) **Center for independent living.—** The term “center for independent living” has the meaning given such term in section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ([29 U.S.C. 796a](/usc/29/796a.md)).
  - (2) **Disability advisory committee.—** The term “disability advisory committee” means a body of stakeholders (including [airport](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) staff, airline representatives, and individuals with disabilities) that provide to [airports](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9) and appropriate transportation authorities input from individuals with disabilities, including identifying opportunities for removing barriers, expanding accessibility features, and improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities at [airports](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-9).
  - (3) **Protection and advocacy system.—** The term “protection and advocacy system” means a system established in accordance with section 143 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 ([42 U.S.C. 15043](/usc/42/15043.md)).
- (i) **Funding.—** Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028, the Secretary may use up to $20,000,000 of the amounts that would otherwise be used to make grants from the discretionary fund under [section 47115](/usc/49/47115.md) for each such fiscal year to carry out this section.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 725(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1267.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 101–336, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 327, which is classified principally to chapter 126 (§ 12101 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 12131 et seq.) of chapter 126 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 12101 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 93–112, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 355, which is classified generally to chapter 16 (§ 701 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 701 of Title 29 and Tables.