Special Assistance

Designated accessible parking is available in the parking garages and Blue, Red and Green shuttle bus lots. All shuttle buses are equipped with lift gear to accommodate wheelchairs and electric scooters. 

Wheelchairs can be reserved in advance through airline 800 reservation numbers, their website or the ticket counter and check-in. Information can be found on our Airline Contact Information webpage.

Our Journey Care Kits provide resources for travelers with visible and hidden disabilities to prepare for their upcoming air travel experiences. The kits include sunflower-themed lanyards and wristbands, providing a discreet sign to airport staff that someone might like additional assistance or time when moving through the airport. Lanyards are available in-person at our information booths on the ticketing and baggage claim levels. For a full Journey Care Kit, please email CustomerService@ColumbusAirports.com 60 days before a scheduled flight.

The Journey Care Kits also contain:

• Travel preparations checklist and helpful hints
• Cloth face masks
• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) bag tag
• Information on TSA Cares, a program that allows a traveler to pre-arrange to have a TSA officer assigned to assist them through the checkpoint screening process
• A CMH social story to help children with developmental disabilities, such as autism, prepare for the sights and sounds of travel or an OhioHealth Neurological Rehabilitation Wheels Up! Traveling with a Disability brochure with answers to frequently asked questions

View and download our Journey Care Kit social story (PDF)

The TSA Cares helpline assists travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances. Travelers may call TSA Cares toll-free 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. In additional, passengers should contact TSA Cares if additional assistance is needed during the screening process.

Email TSA Cares

855-787-2227

Federal Relay: 711

Weekdays:
8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET
Weekends/Holidays:
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET

A mobile, height-adjustable universal changing table is available to be deployed to family restrooms pre-security and in each concourse by calling 614-239-4029. See signage in applicable family restrooms to request delivery and download use instructions.

All restrooms are fully equipped for wheelchair access. Family restrooms are also conveniently located throughout the terminal for families traveling with small children, an elderly parent or someone requiring special accommodation.

Tactile Braille designations appear in each public elevator and directional signage throughout the terminal includes universal pictograms. Way-finding assistance is available from Airport Ambassadors stationed in centrally located information centers on ticketing and baggage claim levels. 

At CMH, blind and low-vision travelers can better maneuver our airport facilities by using a free service called Aira. Made possible with geo-fencing technology, a smartphone app and/or “smart” glasses, Aira connects visually-impaired persons with a trained, remotely-located agent who can see where the traveler is and can guide them as needed. CMH is among more than 30 U.S. airports offering this customer service option. Learn more about Aira. 

Hearing impaired passengers and others can be paged and view important airport information broadcasted visually on our Flight and Baggage Information Display System (FIDS/BIDS) monitors located throughout the terminal. Contact the Airport Communication Center at 614-239-4029 for more details, or stop by one of the Information Centers located within the airport.