5.18.22 OUTBoard Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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26 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ADA PARATRANSIT PLAN status by mail within 21 days of submitting a completed application. An eligibility decision may be full or conditional based on the day or functional ability to make trips. If applicants are not notified within the 21-day timeframe, they are presumed eligible and provided service until such time a determination is made. All applications are updated annually. Once a determination of approval is made, the registrant/passenger is added to an eligibility list and can begin scheduling trips. Personal Care Attendants/Traveling Companions: The need for a PCA must be noted during the application process. PCAs are not charged a fare for accompanying an eligible registrant. In addition to a PCA, registrants may have one traveling companion accompany them who pay the price paid by the ADA registrant. Additional traveling companions are allowed on a space-available basis only and are subject to the ADA fare. Traveling companions and PCAs must have the same origin and destination as the customer. Visitors to the Transit System: ADA transportation service is provided to eligible visitors. Visitors are presumed eligible for service after providing documentation of their ADA paratransit eligibility in the jurisdiction within which they reside. If a visitor is unable to provide this documentation, documentation of the applicant's place of residence is required as well as documentation of his/her disability if the disability is not readily apparent. These persons are additionally required to sign a certification that they are unable to use fixed-route transit. ADA paratransit is provided to eligible visitors for no more than 21 days during a rolling 365- day period. After 21 days of service within this timeframe, applicants/registrants are required to complete OPT's full eligibility process, which involves completing an application and providing professional documentation of ADA transportation eligibility. Determination of Ineligibility and Appeals: If it is determined that a person is not eligible for ADA service, he/she is notified in writing of the reason(s) in a denial letter and will be given 60 days to appeal the decision. If a request for appeal is received, OPT must render a decision within 30 days. Services are not provided during this review process. Instructions for appeal that are provided to applicants that are determined ineligible for ADA paratransit service are provided in Exhibit 6. The administrative appeals process provides the applicant the opportunity to be heard and to present information to a third party not involved in the initial determination. The County's designated hearing/appeals officer is the OPT Administrator, who is not involved in initial eligibility determinations. A date, time, and location for the meeting to discuss the applicant's appeal are sent to the applicant by mail within five (5) working days of the appeal request being received. The meeting is held and a decision rendered within the required 30 days. Should a decision not be rendered within 30 days, the applicant is provided ADA service after the 30-day period until such time a decision is reached. The applicant is not provided service during the 30-day appeal period. 8