Strategy Guide to Enable and Promote the Use of Fixed-Route Transit by People with Disabilities (2014)

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174 Seattle Metro Sample Conditionally Eligible Letter Thank you for applying for King County Metro’s Access Transportation program. As a result of your application, it has been determined that sometimes you cannot use regular Metro bus service because of the following reason(s): [Note: One or more of the following reasons would be included, as appropriate] • You need the assistance of another person beyond that provided by the bus driver in order to board, ride or disembark an accessible transit bus or light rail vehicle. • You need to use a ramp or lift to board the bus and these are not always available or cannot be deployed. • Your disability causes some environmental factors (such as a lack of curb cuts, the distance to the bus stop or inclement weather) to be a barrier for you. These barriers prevent you from accessing some or all bus stops or rail stations. Because you cannot use Metro regular bus services in some situations, you have been deter- mined conditionally eligible for Access Transportation, Metro’s Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit service. Conditional eligibility means that whenever your conditions prevent you from taking the regular fixed-route bus, you are eligible to take your trip on Access. The following conditions have been determined to prevent you from riding the bus. You will able to use Access when: [Insert appropriate conditions here—see attachment 2] When these conditions are not present, it is expected that you will use Metro’s regular bus service. In situations where these conditions prevent you from making only part of a trip on the bus, Access may take you to a bus stop where you can complete the rest of your trip on the regular Metro bus. Access enforces trip-by-trip qualification for conditionally eligible riders. You will receive more information when we review the trips you take. Try Metro’s regular bus service. All of Metro’s buses are fully accessible, have a lift or ramp to make it easier to get on and off, and priority seating for seniors and people with disabilities. You may call one of Metro’s Rider Information Specialists to get help planning your trip. Call 206-553-3000 (TTY users: 711 Relay) or get information online at http://metro.kingcounty.gov. Want practice using the bus and light rail? Transit instruction is a free service that can help you figure out which bus stops and routes work for you. The knowledgeable instructors can help with trip planning and provide training for a successful journey. Learning how to ride the bus can give you more independence by providing increased flexibility, reliability and convenience. The same-day service and regular schedule allow you to go where you want when you want. For information about this service call 206-749-4242 (TTY Relay: 711). A p p e n d i x C Sample Conditional ADA Paratransit Eligibility Determination Letter (Courtesy Seattle Metro)

Sample Conditional AdA paratransit eligibility determination Letter (Courtesy Seattle Metro) 175 The Access Ride Guide is enclosed to help you use Access. We hope you find it helpful and encourage you to read it through before you reserve your first trip. We also encourage you to call customer service with any questions. Your eligibility is effective through [date]. Your Access ADA paratransit card is enclosed. The card has your identification number printed on the bottom of it. Your identification number is [insert number here]. If you travel outside King County, you can use the paratransit services in other communities within the United States. Your identification card or this letter serves as proof that you are eligible for this service. You have been certified for [assistance type—see attachment 1] . . . [Boarding Paragraph, PCA paragraph, if needed - see attachment 1] If you have any questions about your eligibility determination, please call 206-263-3113 (TTY relay: 711) If you disagree with our decision regarding your eligibility, you may appeal. For information about the appeal process, please read the enclosed brochure: “ADA Paratransit Eligibility Appeal.” If you have questions about Access, or if you need this information in large print, Braille, or on an audiotape or CD, please call 206-263-3113 (TTY relay: 711) Sincerely, Attachment 1 Assistance Levels [C2C]You have been certified for curb-to curb service. The driver will meet you at the Access van to assist you with getting on and off the vehicle. [D2D]You have been certified for door-to-door service because you require assistance between the vehicle and the doorway of your residence or destination. However, because of terrain or narrow streets, we may not be able to deliver this level of service at all locations. If that occurs, we will contact you with specific information. The driver must remain within sight of the vehicle at all times. [H2H]You have been certified for hand-to-hand service because your disability requires that you always be picked up and delivered to the care of another person, and must never be left alone. There must always be someone to meet you and the driver at your origin and your destination. Because the driver must remain within sight of the Access vehicle at all times, it may not be possible for the driver to accompany you to the entrance at all locations. In that case, the person who meets you must meet you at the curb. If that occurs, we will notify you of the specific details about such locations. PCA Allowed, Back Boarding and Attendant Required [PCA]You have been certified to have a personal care attendant (PCA) accompany you on the van to assist you with one or more daily life functions. A PCA need not always be the same person. PCAs do not pay a fare on the Access van. The PCA’s trip origin and destination must be the same as yours. [BB, OR, SC, WH, WX]When using the lift on Access vehicles, position your wheelchair or scooter so that your back is to the vehicle. The lift manufacturers recommend boarding in this way because it is safer and reduces wear and tear on the lift. Access drivers can provide

176 Strategy Guide to enable and promote the Use of Fixed-Route Transit by people with disabilities assistance in maneuvering a manual chair. However, drivers cannot operate the electronic con- trols of a power chair. If you are concerned about boarding with your back to the vehicle, we are happy to bring a van out to your home so that you can practice boarding in this way. Call customer service on 206-205-5000 and we will set up a practice session for you. You may also bring a companion along whenever you travel to help you maneuver onto the lift. [AR]You will be required to have a PCA with you when you ride Access. This is because you need the assistance of another person beyond that provided by the Access van driver. If you would like to hear the specific reasons for this requirement please call 206-263-3113 (TTY relay: 711). The driver will not be able to transport you if you are not accompanied by a PCA, and the trip will be treated as a “no show.” A PCA need not always be the same person. PCAs do not pay a fare on the Access van. The PCA’s trip origin and destination must be the same as yours. [Note: This requirement is only included if documentation exists that the rider needs assistance beyond that provided by drivers and not having a PCA during the trip would result in serious disruption to the service.] Attachment 2 Eligibility Conditions [CO]You cannot wait for a bus because the weather is extremely cold. You will be able to make reservations up to three days in advance in November-February. During other months, you will be able to make reservations one day in advance when the daytime high is expected to be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. [HT]You cannot wait for a bus because the weather is extremely hot. You will be able to make reservations up to three days in advance in July and August. In other months, you will be able to make reservations one day in advance when the daytime high is expected to be above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. [SNI]You cannot get to or from the bus stop because there is snow or ice on the ground or forecast within the next 24 hours. (One day advance reservations only.) [DK]You cannot get to or from the bus stop because it is dark at the time you would be traveling. (Trips may be booked from sunset to sunrise; the hours will vary monthly) [LT]You cannot get to or from the bus stop during periods of extremely bright light. (One day advance reservations only) [GBD]Your variable health condition is causing you to have a bad day that prevents you from riding regular public transit. [B1, B2, B3]You cannot get to or from the bus stop because you would have to travel more than (1, 2 or 3) block(s). [CC]You cannot get to or from the bus stop because there are no curb cuts. [LBZ]You need a bus stop where it is possible for the lift or ramp to deploy and you can get on to the lift or ramp. [UN]You cannot get to or from the bus stop because the ground is uneven. [INC]You cannot get to or from the bus stop because there are steep slopes. [NTT]You have not received Transit Instruction to ride regular public transit to a specific destination. When bus service is available, Metro will provide free Transit Instruction for trips

Sample Conditional AdA paratransit eligibility determination Letter (Courtesy Seattle Metro) 177 that you take frequently. A Transit Instructor will contact you whenever training to a specific destination is appropriate. [BX]You cannot complete your trip on a single bus, without a transfer. [BB]You cannot use a bus because it is equipped with a lift or ramp that is not rated to carry over 600 pounds. [TR]You cannot get to or from the bus stop because you would have to cross a busy intersec- tion with no traffic controls. [LSM]You are experiencing temporary physical weakness related to receiving life-sustaining medical treatment.