Check this page to find opportunities to provide your input! Your comments on how your state’s and country’s service systems work are very important to creating and improving services for all citizens.
What is a public comment? A public comment is a comment to a federal and/or state agency providing relevant feedback to a proposed rule or regulation under consideration by the government.
Who can make a public comment? Everyone! Public comments are open to all people (individuals, organizations, other agencies, business owners, stakeholders, etc.) interested in the proposed regulation.
Follow these links to find resources from the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities on public comments:
How to Participate in the Rulemaking Process
Public Comment and Regulations
Why is providing comments so important? Participating in this process ensures that YOU have a say in how you and your loved ones are served through government/public systems.
According to the Harvard Law School’s Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, Public Commenting is an important opportunity to make your voice heard. It is essential to provide input in the development of effective rules and regulations that serve your community. Find out more in this document: Why Public Comments Matter
Share Your Story with GCDD
Have you participated in one of our activities or funded program activities (training, events, etc.)? We would love to hear your story. Please share the impact that participating in our sponsored activity made in your life!
Download and fill it out electronically (or print the form, fill it out, scan it) and email it to our staff at ddcstaff@dfa.arkansas.gov to submit your story. You can even mail it to our office at
Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Arkansas
1515 W. 7th Street, Suite 320-330
Little Rock, AR 72201
Thank you!
CURRENT PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES LISTING:
03/18/2024 U.S. Department of Transportation
Input Opportunity: Ensuring Wheelchair Users Can Fly With Dignity
Comments due Monday, May 13, 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public comments on a new proposed rule designed to ensure airline passengers who use wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity.
In 2023, 11,527 wheelchairs and scooters were mishandled by carriers required to report data to DOT.
The proposed rule would set new standards for prompt, safe, and dignified assistance; require enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs; and specify actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged during transport. Notably, the proposed rule would require airlines to provide passengers with options to repair or replace their wheelchairs if mishandled by the airline. In addition, the proposed rule would make it easier for DOT to hold airlines accountable when they damage or delay the return of a wheelchair to its owner by making it an automatic violation of the Air Carrier Access Act to mishandle wheelchairs.
As part of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, DOT is also requesting input on two topics not currently included in the proposal: lavatory size on twin-aisle aircrafts and reimbursement of the fare difference between a flight someone could’ve taken if their wheelchair fit in the aircraft and the more expensive flight they had to take instead.
Comments can be submitted online, by mail or fax, or hand delivered. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE OR COMMENT
Read DOT’s press release for a summary of key provisions.
Please check back often for public comment opportunities, this section will be updated regularly.
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Public Comments to the Arkansas Department of Human Services
Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS)
Division of Medical Services (DMS)
P.O. Box 1437, Slot S295,
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
P: 501.682.8292
F: 501.682.1197
All DHS proposed rules, public notices, and recently finalized rules may also be viewed at: Proposed Rules & Public Notices
Public comments to Arkansas DHS must be submitted in writing at the above address or at the following email address: ORP@dhs.arkansas.gov