Accessibility-onboard-Aircraft: AoA Summit

Hosted by the Western Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Association (WAMEA) featuring event Ambassador Kent Hehr*

Calgary, Alberta

March 3 & 4, 2026

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About

“The Canadian Aviation Community’s Inaugural Aviation Accessibility Event”

The AoA Summit is a collaborative aviation industry event designed to introduce and share critical resources in service of meeting requirements under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). Enabled in 2019, the ACA is federal legislation aimed at creating a barrier-free Canada by 2040 by proactively identifying, removing and preventing barriers for persons with disabilities. The industry has 15 years to fully implement and comply with ACA regulations and standards – a challenging timeframe given the scope, scale and heavily integrated nature of the aviation transportation modality. Given the near impossibility for any aviation service provider to become fully compliant in isolation of industry peers and stakeholders, the first annual AoA Summit is being launched in 2026.

With a significant percentage of attendee and exhibitor participants already present at our two concurrent events (MRO Canada 2026 Trade Show and the Western AME Conference) - this is a natural convergence point to hold the AoA Summit. Attendees of the AoA Summit will have complimentary access to the MRO Canada 2026 trade expo & AME Conference (March 4 - 5, 2026) conveniently located at the same venue.

A contingent of disabled individuals, disabled advocacy organizations, air operators, airports, airframe OEM’s, third party design, aircraft maintenance organizations, accessibility equipment suppliers and government will be in attendance.

*Kent Hehr is disabled, and is a ex Canadian federal government cabinet minister and Calgary MP who co-sponsored the ACA in 2018, and a founder of the Canadian chapter of All Wheels Up, an aviation focused accessibility advocacy group (non-profit charity).

WHO WILL BE PRESENT AT THE AoA SUMMIT?

ATTENDEES

Air operators compliance, government relations, airport services, tech ops, accessibility advocates, accessibility needs individuals, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, airports, equipment manufacturers suppliers, design houses, innovators, and representatives from the Canadian government such as the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA accessibility), Transport Canada Accessibility, Accessibility Standards Canada, researchers, everyone that is working towards the goal of making air travel more accessible in Canada and around the world.

EXHIBITORS

Showcasing accessibility aircraft cabin concepts, airport journey products, transfer equipment, WC 19 chairs, OEM's, WC 18 securement products, interface design and approval houses, training, accessibility aids, SME Consultants, etc. Note the MRO Canada 2026 Trade Show will also be underway (on-site), and will feature third party MROs, lessors, etc and other non-regulated aviation businesses serving Canadian air operators and AMOs.

SUMMIT HOSTS: Western AME's Association

Hosted by the Western Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Association (WAMEA), we are a non-profit organization that promotes the AME career profession through education, outreach initiatives including school visits and community events in western Canada

  • WAMEA President & Summit Steering Group Co-Chair: Kirk Watson kirk@werkasset.com
  • AoA Summit Conference MC & Steering Group Member: Chris Knight cknight@gfslaw.ca
  • AoA Summit 2026 Ambassador Kent Hehr khehr@gfslaw.ca

STAKEHOLDERS & SUMMIT PRESENTATION CONTENT

WAMEA is actively in the process of developing content for the Summit's sessions based on our independent steering group. Session topics & speakers to be confirmed by mid-January 2026, with final presenters and topics provided to Delegates at least 1 month prior to Summit. If interested in joining our independent steering group, please contact Chris Knight: cknight@gfslaw.ca

AIRPORTS

  • Airport curbside & the Canadian climate
  • Navigating to check-in with baggage
  • Check-in process
  • Customs and security processes
  • Traffic and long distances to the gate
  • Gender-neutral accessible toilets
  • Gate accessibility areas
  • Access to the aircraft via air bridge
  • Access to aircraft via bus or stairs
  • Pre-boarding
  • Transfer equipment
  • Immigration procession
  • Baggage claim & customs
  • Airport administration access
  • CATSA
  • CBSA
  • Harmonised airport /airline needs codes
  • YYC & DIALOG

AIR OPERATORS

  • Accessibility on single aisle aircraft
  • Accessibility on twin aisle aircraft
  • Transfers
  • Canadian climate considerations
  • Northern facing operator enhanced services
  • Accessibility within northern communities
  • Harmonised airport /airline needs codes
  • Communications font style and size
  • On-line booking and check in
  • Universal QR codes mobility device
  • Mobility device damage claims
  • Wheelchair weighs and dimensions limits
  • Harmonization
  • Unbroken chain for identification of special needs pax
  • Universal QR codes for eligible mobility devices
  • Ground handlers access to information

DISABILITY COMMUNITY, ADVOCACY & LOBBYING

  • Disability groups representation / participation
  • Sharing with us the work accomplished to date
  • What's missing today
  • Anxiety: how does it impact travel decisions
  • Why avoiding transfers for some is critical
  • Access to aircraft via bus or stairs
  • Pre-boarding your flight: pax rights
  • Service and guide dogs
  • Harmonised airport /airline 'needs' codes
  • Disability access symbols
  • Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
  • Montreal Design Declaration
  • The needs of persons with disabilities
  • Mobility device handling
  • The ways disabled interact with the service
  • Human rights & discrimination

REGULATORY / COMPLIANCE / ENFORCEMENT

  • Accessible Canada regulations SOR/2021-241
  • Airport categories & requirements
  • Part 25 aircraft impacted
  • FAA Carry on devices -standards
  • TCCA National Certification policy
  • Design criteria
  • New aircraft cut-in milestones
  • Retrofit expectations
  • Category of aircraft & requirements
  • Canadian Transportation Agency
  • Accessibility Standards Canada
  • Transport Canada Accessibility
  • Infractions & monetary penalties
  • Universal QR codes for eligible mobility devices
  • Storage of wheelchairs in cabin lockers-size

AIRFRAMER OEM'S

  • Accessibility on Transport Category aircraft
  • Regional, single aisle and twin aisle
  • Accessible lavatories
  • Concepts to accommodate pax in wheelchairs
  • Retrofit programs
  • Timelines for accessibility options on new aircraft
  • Single point docking vs 4 strap
  • Cabin layout changes
  • Why airframers are waiting for the airlines
  • Protection during transport of mobility devices
  • Storage of wheelchairs in cabin lockers

TRAINING

  • Awareness
  • Communication
  • Best practices
  • Non-visible disabilities
  • Airport / airline needs codes
  • Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program
  • Recognizing hidden disabilities
  • Disability Access Symbols
  • AR Training
  • VR training
  • Post-secondary partnerships
  • Transfers
  • The deaf and mute
  • Writing in Plain Language and Basic English: accessibility and AI.
  • ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES & STANDARDS

  • Government of Canada R&D Programs
  • Accessibility Standard Canada CAN-ASC-5.2.1: PART 1
  • ASC funding for Transportation availability
  • NRC Flight Research Laboratory / Aerospace
  • University of Pittsburgh-HERL
  • ISO 7176-19 and ANSI/RESNA. WC19
  • Wichita State University National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)
  • University of Calgary
  • Laval University-Airport Accessibility-DIALOG
  • University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)
  • Universal docking interface geometry (UDIG)
  • Four strap system dynamic lateral movement exceedances of FAR25 standards
  • Wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems.
  • RESNA

RETROFIT: FUNDING, DESIGN, APPROVALS,IMPLEMENTATION

  • Funding for retrofit of existing 'facilities' including "non-traditional" work environments
  • Transport Canada policy vs FAA & DOT
  • FAA / TCCA Advisory Circular
  • Changed Product Rule AC 521-004
  • Design approval gap analysis associated with WC 18 and the aircraft interface
  • Canadian north trial occupied wheelchair initiative.
  • Seat belt airbags
  • Pax restraint requirements
  • Identification of additional dynamic and static tests required

EQUIPMENT PROVIDERS & CERTIFICATION SPECIALISTS

  • Innovations at the MVP stage
  • Restraint systems for WC occupants
  • Manual ANSI/RESNA WC 19 tested / passed wheelchairs
  • Power ANSI/RESNA WC 19 tested / passed
  • Chair to aircraft onboarding equipment
  • ANSI/RESNA WC 18 securement systems
  • Delta Flight Products
  • Cushion design
  • Schroth Safety Products
  • Harmonized Universal QR codes for eligible mobility devices

AoA SUMMIT VENUE

Venue Location

Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre
1316 33 St NE
Calgary, AB T2A6B6
CANADA

Hotel Accommodation

Special event hotel room pricing is available at the venue (accessible upon registration):

Room Rate: CA $135 + tax per night
Booking: Hotel Information
Venue image

AoA SUMMIT SCHEDULE

Conference Agenda — MRO Canada 2026
Event Time Location / Notes
Exhibitor Set-up: Monday March 2, 2026
Exhibitor set-up 17:00 - onward
Day 1: Tuesday March 3, 2026
Registration 07:00 – 09:00 Premier Room Lobby
Breakfast 07:15 – 8:15 Premier Room Lobby
Summit Opening Remarks 08:00 – 08:30 Kent Hehr — Ambassador
Summit Sessions 08:30 – 11:45 Premier Room
Lunch 11:45 – 12:45 Premier Room Lobby
Summit Sessions 12:45 – 15:45 Premier Room
Wrap-up Day 1 15:45 – 16:00 Chris Knight
Happy Hour 16:00 – 17:00 Premier Room
Optional Add On: Dinner at The Hangar Flight Museum with keynote speaker 18:00 – 19:45 Doors open 17:00 — Meal service 18:00. 170 person limit
MRO Canada 2026 Reception (MRO 1 & 2) 19:00 – 21:00 Plaza 1-5 & Garden Courts
Day 2: Wednesday March 4, 2026
Breakfast and Registration 07:30 – 8:30 Premier Room Lobby
Summit Sessions 08:30 – 11:45 Premier Room
Lunch 11:45 – 12:30 Premier Room Lobby
Summit Sessions 12:30 – 13:30 Premier Room
Closing Remarks 13:30 – 14:00 Poll Results, Q&A, Action items report
‘Flying Towards Accessibility’ breakout workshops for front-line supervisors* 14:30 – 17:00 Premier Room
Optional: AoA delegate badges — free access to MRO CANADA trade show & the Western AME Conference 14:00 onward and Thursday March 5 Access to MRO Canada trade show & AME

*Topics covered in the "Flying Towards Accessibility" breakout workshops will be delivered by SMEs Including:

  • Best Practices for Communicating with the Disabled & Removing the Hesitance Bias.
  • Special Needs of Disabled during Travel
  • Accessibility Transfer Aids and Best Practices (several types of transfer)
  • On-board Transfers: Practical Methods and Training Required
  • Best Practices: Communication with the Elderly
  • Understanding Service Dogs and the Law
  • Understanding the role of Emotional Support Animals (ESA) including 'who uses them - explained'.

AoA DELEGATE REGISTRATION

AoA Summit Registration Amount (CAD) GST (5%) Total (CAD)
Delegate - Early Bird (until Jan 15, 2026) $900 $45 $945
Delegate – booking after Jan 15, 2026 $1,000 $50 $1,050
Optional Dinner (1 seat) — March 3 at the Hangar Flight Museum
$60 $3 $63

** Participants must be fully registered and paid for the AOA SUMMIT to participate. SUMMIT fees are non-refundable. **

AoA SUMMIT DELEGATE PACKAGE

  1. Access to the AoA Summit (Mar 3 & 4)
    • Includes Happy Hour (Mar 3)
    • Includes coffee bar, breakfast and lunch (Mar 3 & 4)
    • Includes access to front-line supervisor workshops (Mar 4, 14:30-17:00)
  2. Invitation to add-on AoA Summit Dinner at the Hangar Flight Museum (Mar 3) – limited seating, Cash bar on-site.
  3. Invitation to MRO CANADA 2026 trade show (Mar 4 & 5)
  4. Invitation to MRO CANADA Sneak a Peek Reception (Mar 3 19:00-21:00)
  5. Access to on-site Western AME Conference (Mar 4 & 5)
  6. Optional Keynote speaker off site dinner (Mar 3 -$60 CAD)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION