The following airlines have TTY/TDD toll-free lines for hearing impaired:

Eastern: TTD: (800) 325-3553

American TTY: (800) 543-1586

Ohio: (800) 582-1573

United TTY: (800) 323-0170

IL: (800) 942-8819

National TTY: (800) 432-1537

Pam Am TTY: (200) 659-5454

TWA TTY: (800) 421-8489

(except AL & IL)

TTY: (800) 252-0622

(in Calif.)

Each airline carrier has its own special services and regulations.

Air Transportation of Handicapped Persons, prepared 1977, free, document 120-32, U.S. Department of Transportation, Publications Section, M-443.1, Washington, DC 20590.

Care in the Air. Advice for Handicapped Passengers, 1977, free, Air Transport Users Committee, 129 Kingsway, London WC2B6NN, England.

Travel Tips for the Handicapped, Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.

Wheelchair Air Travel, Clare Millar, Box 7, Blair, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, $2.50.

A manual is now available from the American Council of the Blind (ACB) to educate airline personnel to better serve travelers with visual impairments. The ACB is also planning to offer training sessions. American Council of the Blind, 1211 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 506, Washington, DC 20036.

Flight Information for the Physically Handicapped, 1978, and Flight Information for Blind Passengers, free, Frontier Airlines, 8250 Smith Road, Denver, Colorado 80207. (or call local office). Frontier Airlines provides boarding disabled passengers with brochures (one in braille outlining emergency procedures on the plane.

Air Travel for the Handicapped, free, 1981. TWA Sales Department, 2 Penn Plaza, New York, New York 10010 (or call local office). 15 page booklet outlines special services and provides tips for disabled travelers.

Travel for the Handicapped, 1980, free, United Airlines, Consumer Affairs Department, P.O. Box 66100, Chicago, Illinois 60666 (or call local office). United Airlines has pioneered in the area of travel for the disabled by providing special equipment and meals, allowing guide dogs to travel free in passenger compartments, etc.

A Travel Chair developed by Ortho-Kinetics been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for all United Airlines planes. Clients may reserve the seats in advance of their trips. Ortho-Kinetics, W220 N507 Springdale Road, P.O. Box 436, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53187 (414) 542-6060.

Rehabilitation International, U.S.A.

1123 Broadway, Suite 704

New York, New York 10010

(212) 620-4040

A voluntary effort to bring together the disabled consumer and airline industry to address accessibility issues in air travel. Publishes occasional newsletter.

432 Park Avenue South

New York, New York 10016

(202) 686-6770

Is working to help travelers with disabilities. Has information on aircraft cabin accessibility for the major U.S. carriers.

Many airlines now:

While these relaxations of rules apply primarily to U.S. airlines, in practice many foreign airlines are also honoring them. Check several weeks in advance with individual airlines for their specific requirements. New airline design indicates an increased sensitivity to handicapped travelers. The Boeing 767 is a good example. It offers aisle armrests that fold up to allow a wheel chair traveler easier access to the seat and two mid-cabin lavatory doors that can be opened to create a privacy area for disabled travelers entering the lavatory. The lavatories have been designed with wider doors and more inside space with built-in assist devices such as rail handles and accessible faucet and toilet controls. Though all are optional features, Boeing has indicated that a number of major airlines are ordering handicap assist features when they refurbish planes. Also, an on-board wheelchair that ca be used to navigate the aisles has been purchased by airlines, including Air France, TWA and United.

Office of Consumer Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation, (202)426-4000. Will deal with your complaints about baggage liability, over-booking on airlines and failure of airline to provide your guaranteed no-smoking section seat.