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<br />12 <br /> <br />A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove a service animal from the premises unless: (1) <br />the animal is out of control and the animal’s owner does not take effective action to control it (for <br />example, a dog that barks repeatedly); or (2) the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety <br />of others. The County will not provide care or food for a service animal or provide a special location <br />for it to relieve itself. Allergies and fear of animals are not valid reasons for denying or refusing <br />service to people with service animals. <br />Passengers will be permitted to travel with respirators, portable oxygen, and other life support <br />equipment. Travel with this equipment will only be denied if it violates rules concerning the <br />transportation of hazardous materials. <br />Other Assistance <br />All material made available to applicants and passengers of the County’s complementary paratransit <br />service will be provided in accessible formats upon request. For visually impaired customers, phone <br />calls will be made in addition to letters referenced in this document. <br />Those persons who would like to learn how to use the lift or ramp equipment on an accessible fixed <br />route bus can practice on a vehicle that is not in regular service. Whenever possible, the County will <br />make available demonstrations, which can be attended by all interested persons, and will arrange <br />transportation to such sites for those needing those services. County staff may be able to accompany <br />passengers on all or part of their first trip if advance arrangements are made. The County will also <br />make mobility training available upon request. <br />Subscription Service Policy <br />Passengers who use Paratransit service to make regular trips (daily, weekly, etc.) can request a <br />standing reservation service through the Dispatch office. These reservations allow passengers to not <br />have to call and schedule each recurring trip. OCPT will take subscription requests on a first come <br />first serve basis. If a passenger makes a standing reservation and has two no-shows, per the OCPT <br />no-show policy, the standing reservation will be cancelled, and that passenger will not be eligible to <br />qualify for subscription service for 30 days. Trips missed by the individual for reasons beyond his <br />or her control (included but not limited to trips that are missed due to operator error) are not a <br />basis for determining that a pattern or practice exists for missing appointments. <br />Visitor Policy <br />Visitors from another area or region have to the use of the complementary paratransit service <br />provided by Orange County Public Transit. A visitor will be asked to provide documentation stating <br />the visitor is ADA paratransit eligible in the area in which the visitor resides. If a visitor is unable to <br />do so, they will be required to present documentation of their place of residence, and documentation <br />of the visitor’s disability, if not apparent. This service is available for a combination of 21 calendar <br />days during a 365-day period beginning with the visitor’s first use of the service. If a visitor exceeds <br />any combination of 21 calendar days within a 365-day period, then that individual is required to <br />submit the required application a resident would be required to submit. <br />Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy <br />54