TSA Tips For Travelers With Disabilities

When departing from Texas on a winter holiday, air travelers with disabilities or medical conditions and who use medical devices should not think of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint as a barrier to their vacation.

While all travelers must undergo screening at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport TSA checkpoint, passengers and companions may consult a TSA officer about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening process.

Individuals may provide an officer with a TSA notification card or other medical documentation to describe the condition discretely.

Travelers also may request accommodations to the security screening process.

Furthermore, if a passenger with a medical device, medical condition, or disability is approved to use TSA Pre✓®, the person has options during the screening process.

The TSA has resources for travelers with disabilities or individuals who travel with medical devices or medical conditions to ensure they can get through the security screening process successfully, respectfully, and efficiently.

These resources include the TSA Cares helpline, the TSA Contact Center, Passenger Support Specialists, information posted on the TSA website, and an interactive Twitter account.

The TSA's helpline, called TSA Cares, enables travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and medical conditions to call 1-855-787-2227 with questions about screening policies and procedures.

And Passenger Support Specialists are highly trained TSA officers at airports who have special training in successfully engaging with and screening individuals with disabilities or medical conditions or who travel with medical devices.

Travelers requiring accommodations to the screening process or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may ask for a Passenger Support Specialist or a Supervisory TSA Officer who can provide on-the-spot assistance.

These TSA resources may be needed as the holiday travel season ramps up.

The TSA's recent screening data as of December 22, 2022, indicates air travel volume is approaching levels last seen in 2019.

Additionally, when visiting certain countries, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest speaking with a certified travel vaccine advisor about one month before departure.

The CDC has identified continues that require proof of yellow fever, polio, and measles vaccinations.

These travel; vaccines are offered at various clinics and pharmacies throughout the U.S.

Vax-Before-Travel publishes fact-checked, research-based travel vaccine information manually curated for mobile readers.