Transcript ADA Presentation - PowerPoint

Americans with Disabilities Act
Civil Rights Protection for
over 50 million Americans
1
Introduction


What is the ADA?
How does the ADA apply to
transportation?
2
Titles of the ADA
 Title I Employment
 Title II Public Entities
 State, County and Municipal
programs and facilities
 Public transportation programs
 Title III Privately operated public
accommodations
 Title IV Telecommunications
3
Person with a Disability
ADA Definition



…..Physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major
life activities
…..Having a record of such an
impairment
…..Being regarded as having an
impairment
4
Basic Purpose
“No entity shall discriminate against an
individual with a disability in
connection with the provision of
transportation service.”
Section 37.5
5
What the ADA Addresses

Operating Policies and
Procedures

Service Delivery Requirements

All Providers of Services
6
Access to Communication






Provision for people with speech/hearing
impairments for access to information provided
by telephone
TDD (Text Telephone)
Telecommunications Relay Service (PA Relay)
Not all lines and phone stations, but sufficient
number
No delays or costs not experienced by general
public
Relay service must operate during all
days/hours that voice phone lines are open
7
Access to Information

All print material also available in accessible
formats





Schedules
Rider handbooks
Information brochures
Service bulletins
Must be made available upon request in a format
individual can use
Availability of telephone information NOT adequate
substitute for route and schedule information
Accessible formats include:


Braille
Computer Disk
Audio Tape
Large Print
8
Employee Training




Requirement to train personnel to
proficiency
Operate vehicles and equipment safely
Provide level of service as required
Treat individuals with disabilities in a
respectful, courteous way
9
Training programs must be:



Appropriate to duties of each
employee
Comprehensive
Able to evaluate or test each
employee’s understanding
10
Boarding / Alighting Time


Adequate time must be allowed for
boarding/alighting of passengers with
disabilities
Includes adequate time for passengers
to get to a seat
11
Lift and Securement Use


All “Common Wheelchairs” and their users must
be transported
Common Wheelchair defined as:





Not exceeding 30” wide
Not exceeding 48” long, when measured 2” above
ground
Does not weight more than 600 lbs. Occupied
Securement system MUST be used to secure
wheelchair
Cannot deny service on basis of difficulty in
securing wheelchair
12
Lift and Securement Use



Must permit standees to use lift to enter
vehicle
Each securement location must have a 3point passenger restraint system
Can only require passenger restraint if ALL
passengers are required to use
13
Lift and Securement Use


Transfer from wheelchair to vehicle
seat can be recommended, but not
required
Where necessary or requested, drivers
must assist with use of:
Securement System
 Ramp
 Lift


This assistance is required even if the
driver must leave his/her seat to do so
14
Maintenance of Lifts



Regular and frequent lift maintenance
program must be developed and
instituted
Drivers must report non-operating lifts as
soon as possible
Every effort must be made to repair lifts
before the next day of service
15
Mobility Aids and Life
Support Systems


Service animals must be allowed to
accompany passengers
Passengers must be permitted to travel
with life support, including:
Respirators
 Portable Oxygen


Can only deny if to transport would violate
rules concerning the transportation of
hazardous materials
16
Additional Charges

Special fares and charges, beyond those
required of other riders, cannot be imposed
on people with disabilities
Stowing wheelchairs
 Toll-free number, but not for TDD


No processing fee for ADA eligibility
applications can be assessed
17
Refusing Service to
Passengers with Disabilities

Service can only be refused, conditioned or
suspended if an individual engages in:





Violent
Seriously Disruptive or
Illegal Conduct
Behavior that offends, annoys or inconveniences
other passengers is not “seriously disruptive”
Service must be provided regardless of liability
concerns, insurance coverage conditions or rates
18
Priority Seating


Priority seating must be provided
Use of priority seating cannot be required
20
Permitting Riders to
Disembark

Individuals who use wheelchairs must be
permitted to disembark at any stop unless:
The lift cannot be deployed
 The lift would be damaged if deployed
 Temporary conditions, not within the
control of the transit authority, prevent the
safe use of the stop by ALL passengers

21
Announcement of Stops

Operators must announce stops at:
Major transfer points with other routes
 Major intersections/destination points
(Landmarks)
 Sufficient intervals along the route to permit
orientation
 Any stop requested by the passenger must
also be announced

22
Identifying Vehicles and/or
Passengers

At stops that service more than one route, method
of communication required to:




Permit people with disabilities to identify vehicle
OR
Permit operators to identify passengers seeking to
ride on their vehicle
Transit authority must facilitate the
communication process
Customers have responsibility to cooperate in the
use of communication devices such as cards
23
Maintenance of Lifts

Inoperable lifts must work before vehicle returned
to service UNLESS:




No spare available
No more than 3 days in urban areas (>50,000)
No more than 5 days in rural areas (<50,000)
If headways exceed 30 minutes on routes with
inoperable lift, alternative transportation must be
provided:



Accessible supervisor vehicle
Paratransit
Another bus
24
Provision of Complimentary
Paratransit Service



Public entities providing non-commuter,
fixed route service to the general public
Paratransit comparable to fixed route
service (as defined) for people with
disabilities unable to use fixed route
service
All systems must now be in full compliance
(January 1997)
25
The ADA:
Civil Rights for Persons
with Disabilities
26