San Antonio International Airport’s (SAT) Accessibility Focus Group has been awarded the prestigious Martha Arbuckle Award as part of the 2026 Lex Frieden Employment Awards, according to a City of San Antonio news release. This accolade, presented by the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, acknowledges the group’s innovative approach to incorporating individuals with disabilities into the planning and design processes of the airport’s future Terminal C.
The Martha Arbuckle Award is named after a pioneering disability advocate from Austin and is granted to initiatives that demonstrate innovation, inclusion, and impact. The Accessibility Focus Group, which included 35 community representatives, 25 of whom have disabilities or are medical-service professionals, worked over a 10-month period to identify barriers and propose over 160 recommendations for improving accessibility at the airport.
Miguel Castro, chair of the City of San Antonio’s Disability Access Advisory Committee, emphasized the importance of firsthand insights in identifying and overcoming challenges faced by travelers with disabilities. "Throughout this process, we not only identified challenges but also shaped practical solutions to better serve our disability community," Castro stated.
Tim O’Krongley, deputy aviation director, highlighted the airport’s commitment to accessibility as a core operational pillar. "This partnership has helped us think differently about the passenger experience and will have lasting impacts on Terminal C and how we approach accessibility across the entire airport," he said.
Notably, the group’s recommendations were not confined to future developments. Immediate improvements were integrated into the Terminal A Expansion, which opened earlier this year, enhancing accessibility for current passengers.
The initiative’s success has positioned San Antonio as a leader in accessibility, with the airport sharing its approach at national and international conferences. The model emphasizes early engagement with the disability community, building diverse partnerships, and maintaining these collaborations throughout design, construction, and operations.
The 2026 Lex Frieden Employment Awards ceremony will take place on October 21 in McKinney, Texas, where the Accessibility Focus Group will be formally recognized for its contributions.