A TRANSPORTATION CONCURRENT
Thursday, June 14, 2:15 pm
Eric Lipp
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
INNOVATION AND TRENDS IN ASSISTING TRAVELERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Open Doors Organization
CHICAGO
Eric Lipp, Founder and Executive Director of the Open Doors Organization, started the organization after personally experiencing the restrictions that people with disabilities face in everyday life. This experience was the catalyst in encouraging Eric to found the Open Doors Organization (www.opendoorsnfp.org).
Open Doors works as Part 382 U.S. Air Carrier Access Act experts across the globe, working with over 35 foreign carriers. Eric is also an expert in civil aviation laws in many parts of the world including Europe and South America.
Recently, Open Doors started training 10,000-plus Amtrak frontline employees on accessibility.
Eric recently received the Community Support Award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration.
In Chicago, Open Door acts as the centralized dispatch for all 334 wheelchair accessible taxis. The service allows people with disabilities to have “on-demand” transportation unlike anywhere else on the globe.
Eric initiated the groundbreaking 2002, 2005 and 2015 ODO/Neilson-Harris studies on travelers with disabilities. He and Open Doors are the host of the Universal Access in Airports biennial event.
He is a frequent speaker at national trade shows and international conferences as well as often quoted in national press and media. Eric and Open Doors are the leaders in accessibility at airports with Airports Council International, Airlines for America, the International Air Transport Association and American Association of Airport Executives.
