; (2) determining the extent to which the programs and activities of the Department of Transportation are addressing the barriers described in paragraph (1); (3) recommending improvements to the air travel experience of passengers with disabilities; and (4) such activities as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this section. (c) Membership (1) In general The Advisory Committee shall be comprised of at least 1 representative of each of the following groups: (A) Passengers with disabilities. (B) National disability organizations. (C) Air carriers. (D) Airport operators. (E) Contractor service providers. (2) Appointment The Secretary of Transportation shall appoint each member of the Advisory Committee. (3) Vacancies A vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (d) Chairperson The Secretary of Transportation shall designate, from among the members appointed under subsection (c), an individual to serve as chairperson of the Advisory Committee. (e) Travel expenses Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (f) Reports (1) In general Not later than February 1 of each year, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation a report on the needs of passengers with disabilities in air travel, including— (A) an assessment of disability-related access barriers, both those that were evident in the preceding calendar year and those that will likely be an issue in the subsequent 5 calendar years; (B) an evaluation of the extent to which the Department of Transportation’s programs and activities are eliminating disability-related access barriers; (C) a description of the Advisory Committee’s actions during the preceding calendar year; (D) a description of activities that the Advisory Committee has planned for the subsequent calender year