ADA Policy
ADA Complaint and Reasonable Modification Request Policy
The Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II) states, in part, that “no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in programs, services or activities sponsored by a public entity.” At Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD), we are committed to complying with the requirements of Title II of the ADA in all of our programs, services, benefits, and activities.
RMTD provides safe and efficient transportation to the communities we serve. RMTD provides door-to-door service for the frail, elderly, and persons with disabilities. Door-to-door means that drivers assist passengers from their homes and assist them back to the door in a safe and polite manner. All able-bodied passengers are given curb-to-curb service, meaning they are picked up in front of their homes and delivered in front of their destinations unless door-to-door service is requested.
This policy explains:
- How RMTD implements the ADA in daily operations.
- How ADA paratransit and reasonable modifications work.
- How eligibility, appeals, and privacy are handled.
Need to file an ADA complaint or request a reasonable modification?
You may submit your ADA complaint or reasonable modification request using RMTD’s online form.
Policy statement
ADA policy and general statement
The following information summarizes RMTD’s ADA Policy and how it guides service delivery for all passengers, including those with disabilities.
ADA Policy
The RMTD ADA Policy may be viewed in entirety at www.ridesmtd.com or you may call your local RMTD Operations Center for a copy.
Stop Announcements
RMTD drivers will announce transfer stops, major intersections, destination points, arrival locations, and other intervals along fixed routes.
Companions / Personal Care Attendants
One personal care attendant is eligible to travel with an eligible rider. In addition, service can be provided to one companion accompanying an eligible rider. Other persons accompanying the rider will be accommodated on a “space available” basis.
Persons are considered to be accompanying the eligible rider if they are picked up and dropped off at the same locations as the eligible rider. Escorts need to be scheduled when the original transportation arrangements are made. Only one non-paying escort may be allowed per passenger.
ADA Paratransit Service
RMTD’s ADA paratransit service is a door-to-door transportation service available to persons with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route bus services where available.
ADA paratransit service is by reservation only, and all reservations must be made at least one day prior to service by calling your local RMTD Operation Center at 844-220-1243.
RMTD’s ADA paratransit service is available anytime regular fixed-route bus service is in operation and within three-fourths (¾) of a mile of fixed route service.
Visitors
RMTD provides service to ADA eligible individuals who travel to areas outside of the region in which they live.
Respirators or Portable Oxygen
Respirators and portable oxygen devices are allowed on RMTD vehicles, and time will be allowed for individuals with disabilities to board or disembark a vehicle using these devices. Riders need to ensure they have an adequate amount of oxygen for their trip.
Operations & accessibility
Service animals, ramps, mobility devices, and safety
These policies describe how RMTD handles service animals, ramps and steps, accessibility features, and mobility devices to ensure safe, ADA-compliant service.
Service Animals
RMTD will permit service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and facilities. Service animals may not deprive a customer of a seat or block an aisle or door.
Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the handler must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
Operators will notify a customer attempting to board with a service animal if there is another animal on board. The boarding customer should be allowed to make the final decision whether to board the bus or not. Non-service animals are allowed if an animal carrier is used.
Ramps / Steps
For safety reasons, drivers are not required to load a passenger in a mobility device if access to their home involves maneuvering more than one step, unless their home is equipped with a ramp for easy mobility device access.
If members of the passenger’s family are available to transfer the passenger from their home to the vehicle, then the step limitation will not apply. Drivers are not required to transfer passengers from their home to the vehicle if the ramp is determined to be unsafe for normal maneuvers.
Seatbelt
It is the policy of RMTD that passengers sitting in the front seat should wear the seatbelt. This may include a person using a mobility device for transportation seating.
When a passenger seated in a front seat, including a person using a mobility device, does not want to use the seatbelt, the driver will record that the passenger does not want to wear the seatbelt and request the passenger sign the trip sheet or an alternative form documenting that he or she did not want to wear the seatbelt.
Priority Seating and Standee
Priority seating is reserved in all transit vehicles for passengers with disabilities who prefer to utilize that seating. Priority seating is located in the front of the vehicle and is designated with appropriate signage.
If priority seating areas are occupied by passengers who do not have a disability, and a passenger with a disability who needs priority seating boards the bus, the driver is required to ask the passenger occupying the priority seats to move or stand.
If a person who does not have a disability refuses to move from the priority seating, drivers are not required to force them to move.
Lift and Securement Use
RMTD will ask that mobility device users permit their mobility device to be secured. RMTD provides assistance upon request or as necessary with lifts, ramps, and securement systems.
RMTD will permit individuals with disabilities who do not use mobility devices to use the vehicle’s lifts or ramp. Due to lift manufacturing standards, RMTD staff will not ride the lift with passengers in mobility devices or those who are ambulatory and choose to use the lift.
Only the passenger requesting the use of the lift may ride the lift. Only RMTD staff may operate the lift.
Lift Deployment
RMTD will not refuse to permit a passenger who uses a lift to disembark from a vehicle at any designated stop, unless the lift cannot be deployed, the lift will be damaged if it is deployed, or temporary conditions preclude the safe use of the stop by all passengers.
Accessibility Features
When a passenger does not want to use the accessibility-related equipment, the driver will record that the passenger does not want to use the equipment. The passenger will be asked to sign a form indicating he or she did not want to use the equipment provided.
Mobility Device
Wheeled devices for the carriage of a single individual, normally used as an assistive device for individuals who may have mobility challenges, may be used to board RMTD vehicles.
RMTD will transport a mobility device and its user, as long as the lift can accommodate the size and weight of the mobility device and its user, and there is space for the mobility device on the vehicle. However, RMTD is not required to carry a mobility device if the lift or vehicle is unable to accommodate the mobility device and its user, consistent with legitimate safety requirements.
Segway or Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD): RMTD will accept such devices as long as the mobility device can be transported safely during instances when individuals with disabilities who do not use wheelchairs request use of the lift to enter the RMTD vehicle.
Trip Denials or Missed Trips
All denials are recorded by RMTD. Trip requests that occur inside the RMTD service area that cannot be accommodated will be logged as trip denials.
Eligibility & appeals
Reasonable modification, eligibility, and appeal process
This section describes how to request reasonable modifications, how eligibility is determined, how long processing may take, and how appeals and privacy are handled.
ADA Reasonable Modification
Whenever possible, a request for a reasonable modification or accommodation shall be filed or requested in advance by contacting RMTD.
Phone: 618-253-8761, ext: 500327
Email: coo@ridesmtd.com
Mail: RMTD, COO, ADA Compliance
1304 Frank Leberman Dr., Harrisburg, IL 62946
Eligibility
Persons using RMTD for transportation services are generally considered presumptively eligible for ADA transportation services. RMTD services, however, are delivered across areas where there may not be appropriate amenities such as sidewalks and ramps.
New passengers requesting access to services who assert a disability or use of a mobility device will be assessed through the eligibility process to ensure safe operations at their residence and provide certified access to paratransit services when they visit other areas not served by RMTD.
Persons may be interviewed and may be required to provide documentation to help determine use of eligibility. An RMTD administration employee or supervisor may inspect pick-up locations if the interview indicates any conditions that may impact safe operations.
Notice of Initial Determination
RMTD will notify customers in writing of the initial determination of eligibility.
Processing Time / Presumptive Eligibility
Applicants are to be granted presumptive eligibility if ADA determination of eligibility has not been made within 21 calendar days of the submission of a completed application.
Service must be provided, and the applicant presumed to be eligible, until and unless the determination is complete and the person is found to be ineligible. Subsequent investigations or requests for additional information by RMTD would be considered part of the review process and within the 21-day timetable.
Administrative Appeal Process
An administrative appeal process is available to any individual who is determined to be ineligible for transportation service, has an ADA-related complaint, or has been denied a modification. Because the provision of ADA transit service is a civil right, the denial of eligibility or modification is a serious matter.
Holding an Appeal Hearing
If there is a conflict of interest with a claimant or his or her representative, or there is a personal relationship with a person on the RMTD panel and/or decision maker, the conflicted party will be asked to excuse themselves from the process.
In any instance that this is not possible, or such a request would be considered a hardship for the claimant, the conflict will be documented in the record and acknowledged by all parties.
Observing Privacy Rights
The medical information that may be gathered as part of the ADA eligibility certification process will not be shared with any other party.
Re-certification of ADA Eligibility
RMTD suggests that individuals reapply for ADA transit eligibility should their individual circumstances or conditions at their residence change. While a person’s disability may be permanent, other factors which go into the determination of eligibility may change. For example, improved technologies and/or operating procedures may be introduced.
Circumstances Under Which Service Can Be Conditioned
In certain circumstances, it may be possible to mitigate the effects of a person’s conduct by requiring that they meet certain conditions, such as using the service with an attendant.
Circumstances Under Which Service Can Be Refused
Public entities can refuse to provide fixed route or paratransit service to persons with disabilities if they engage in violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct. This may include a person who assaults a driver or another passenger, who smokes or drinks on the vehicle in violation of established laws, or who engages in conduct that is so severe that the delivery of service is seriously disrupted.
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