- Public transportation must include paratransit because of the ADA of 1990.light Rail Train doors image by Joe Pitz from Fotolia.com
Paratransit is a type of transportation that follows no fixed route or schedule and is often used to transport people with disabilities or the elderly. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) created regulations for increased paratransit to make it easier for disabled people in a city to travel. There are specific requirements that must be met for disabled citizens to qualify for these services. - The ADA mandates that transit agencies have a responsibility to provide disabled people with transportation if they cannot use the fixed bus or rail system. If these people are found to be disabled, they must be provided with service to within three-quarters of a mile of a rail station or bus route on the same hours and days.
The price of this service must be less than twice the normal fixed fare. The service must be provided within an hour of the requested time if it is requested the previous day. - There are three categories of disability which people can fall into to be eligible to receive paratransit services.
The first category includes those who cannot travel on the main line even if it is accessible to most disabled people. This can be the result of a cognitive impairment or a visual impairment.
The second category includes disabled people who need to get to an area not served by a handicap-accessible train or bus.
The third category is for disabled people who cannot travel to a location because of specific circumstances. This can be the result of environmental or architectural barriers that make travel difficult. - Disabled individuals must qualify for one of the three categories to be given paratransit services. They may provide any type of documentation that proves their disability and they must show that they are unable to ride the train or bus some or all of the time.
The documentation can include a statement from a medical professional, a detailed listing of the access barriers, and a detailed personal journal. Since more requests are made for paratransit every year, cities may decline a case that is not 100 percent necessary. If transit is only difficult for an individual but not impossible, he may be denied. - If denied, an individual may appeal and must be heard by a person not involved with the original decision. If a decision has not been reached within 30 days after the appeal has been filed, paratransit service is required until the appeal is denied.
When an appeal has been denied, a disabled person may file a complaint with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Civil Rights. The complaint form is available on the FTA's website.
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