Accessibility at FWA
Fort Wayne International Airport is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive travel experience for all passengers. Accessibility features at the airport include;
-sensory room
-hearing loop
-Service Animal Relief Area (SARA)
-cane trail
-adult changing table
-accessible restrooms
-Mother's Rooms
-airport wheelchairs and wheelchair assistance
-rolled curbs
-low-profile baggage scales
-accessible-height countertops
-lounge-style sofa seating
At FWA, accessibility is more than a feature—it's part of our commitment delivering excellent customer service to our community!
In addition to FWA's efforts to be an inclusive and accessible environment for ALL passengers, each airline, as well as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have accessibility guidelines and programs in place to assist passengers.
American Airlines - Special Assistance
Delta Air Lines - Accessible Travel Services
United Airlines - Accessible Travel
Allegiant Airlines - Passengers with Special Needs
Customer Service Agents
The Fort Wayne Airport Customer Service Agents are able to provide assistance to passengers 7 days a week - Monday-Friday 7am-12am and Saturday-Sunday 5am-12am. We strongly recommend scheduling a shuttle ride, wheelchair assistance, or luggage assistance 48 hours in advance to ensure that personnel are available. We cannot guarantee assistance with less than a 48-hour notice, but we will try our best to accommodate. We are able to accept requests via the forms linked below or over the phone at 260-458-4017. If immediate assistance is needed, please call our 24/7 Public Safety Department at 260-747-2624.
Shuttle Assistance request here.
Wheelchair and/or Luggage Assistance request here.
Hidden Disability Sunflower Program
Fort Wayne International Airport is proud to participate in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. FWA is the first airport in Indiana to roll out this program. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program aims to assist those traveling with invisible disabilities who may need a little extra patience, care, and explanation during their travel experience. The goal of implementing this program is to bring awareness to those with hidden, or invisible, disabilities and to remind airport staff to exercise extra compassion and empathy when working with these passengers and their families. This program does not allow for special treatment or expedited security screening, but is a reminder to airport staff to show extra compassion and allow time for extra assistance and let those traveling with these hidden disabilities to feel comfortable and confident.
Passengers participating in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program are identified by the green sunflower product they choose to wear. FWA will have lanyards, bracelets, and pins available at no cost to passengers in the airport Welcome Center located directly across from the TSA Security Checkpoint. All airport and Airport Authority staff has been trained on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.
If you would like to request a Sunflower product prior to traveling, please contact Angie Dillon, Customer Experience Supervisor, at 260-446-3433 or adillon@fwairport.com. Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program HERE.
Hospitality PAWS
It’s no secret that air travel can be stressful for many people. Hospitality PAWS is Fort Wayne International Airport’s answer to the stress that passengers may feel when beginning their trips. FWA aims to give passengers a calm and comforting travel experience through a group of fully insured and highly trained certified therapy dogs and handlers.
FWA’s Hospitality PAWS program is currently made up of four handler/dog teams, with each dog being a different breed and possessing a unique personality. The PAWS teams come to the airport multiple times a week for two-hour shifts, with more frequent visits during higher traffic seasons such as the holidays and spring break. All of the therapy dog teams are certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Hospitality PAWS handlers and dogs will be wearing nametags - say hi if you see a volunteer team working in the terminal!
Questions
If you have any questions about the Hospitality PAWS Program, please contact:
Katie Robinson
Marketing Specialist
krobinson@fwairport.com
260-446-3422
Modifications to Policies and Procedures
The Airport Authority will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in the Airport Authority offices, even where pets are generally prohibited. The Airport Authority has also included a Video Relay Service videophone located in the Welcome Center for those persons with hearing impairment.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the Airport Authority, should contact Katie Scherer, ADA Coordinator at (260) 446- 3427 or email operationsspecialists@fwairport.com as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
The ADA does not require the Airport Authority to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.
Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the Airport Authority is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Katie Scherer, ADA Coordinator at (260) 446- 3427 or email kscherer@fwairport.com.
The Airport Authority will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.
Unlawful Discrimination
It is unlawful for airport operators and their lessees, tenants, concessionaires and contractors to discriminate against any person because of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, or disability in public services and employment opportunities. Allegations of discrimination should be promptly reported to Airport Operations or:
Federal Aviation Administration Office of Civil Rights, ACR-1
800 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20591
Federal regulations on unlawful discrimination are available for review in the Airport Operations Office:
Katie Scherer
(260) 446-3427
3801 West Ferguson Road Suite 209, Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Click here for a Grievance Form.
Discriminacion Ilegal
Se prohibe a los operadores de aeropuertos y a sus arrendatarios, inquilinos, concesionarios y contratistas discriminar contra cualquier persona por motivo de raza, color, nacionalidad de origen, sexo, creencias religiosas, impedimento fisico o discapacidad en lo que respecta a servicios p!blicos y oportunidades de empleo. Las alegaciones de discriminación deberán ser dirigidas inmediatamente al departamento de operaciones o a:
Federal Aviation Administration Office of Civil Rights, ACR-1
800 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20591
Los reglamentos sobre discriminación ilegal están a la disposición de los interesados para su examen en la oficina del departamento de operaciones del Aeropuerto.
Katie Scherer
(260) 446-3427
3801 West Ferguson Road Suite 209, Fort Wayne, IN 46809
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2010 (“ADA”), the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (“Airport Authority") will not discriminate against qualified individuals on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities.
Employment: The Airport Authority does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.
Effective Communication: The Airport Authority will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the Airport Authority’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.