Lake Zurich, IL (June 11, 2026) — The Accessibility Policy Institute is pleased to share that CEO Dan McConchie has been appointed by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy to serve on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) Advisory Committee as a representative of passengers with disabilities.
This appointment recognizes McConchie’s longstanding leadership in disability policy and accessibility advocacy, as well as his continued commitment to advancing practical, real-world solutions that improve access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Established by Congress and authorized through the FAA Reauthorization Act, the ACAA Advisory Committee advises the U.S. Department of Transportation on issues affecting air travelers with disabilities. The Committee works to identify barriers to accessibility in air travel, evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and programs, and recommend improvements that strengthen the travel experience for passengers with disabilities.
In his role as a representative of passengers with disabilities, McConchie will bring both lived experience and policy expertise to the Committee’s work. He looks forward to collaborating with fellow members and federal partners to help advance practical, actionable improvements that make air travel more accessible, reliable, and dignified for all travelers.
The Accessibility Policy Institute welcomes this appointment as an important step toward ensuring that the perspectives of people with disabilities remain central to transportation policy discussions. API remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen accessibility, expand inclusion, and improve opportunities for individuals with disabilities across all areas of public life.
As this work moves forward, the Accessibility Policy Institute will continue to engage with policymakers, industry leaders, and disability advocates to ensure that the perspectives of people with disabilities are meaningfully reflected in transportation policy and practice.
McConchie’s appointment to the ACAA Advisory Committee reinforces API’s broader mission to advance practical, policy-driven solutions that improve accessibility across critical systems, including air travel. This role creates an important opportunity to connect lived accessibility challenges with federal policy development, helping ensure that reforms are informed by real-world experience and focused on measurable impact.
API looks forward to supporting this work and continuing to contribute research, policy insight, and stakeholder engagement as the Committee advances its efforts to improve the air travel experience for passengers with disabilities. To learn more about API’s work, explore partnership opportunities, or discuss initiatives related to accessibility in transportation policy, please contact info@accessibilitypolicyinstitute.org