Agenda - 09-06-2022; 5-b - Orange County Transportation Services – ADA Paratransit Plan

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8 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan 2) Available to any ADA-paratransit-eligible persons at any requested time on any particular day during which fixed-route vehicles are operating for the respective %-mile radius in response to a request for service made the previous day; 3) ADA paratransit fares that are no more than twice the fare that would be charged to an individual paying full fare for a trip of similar length, at a similar time of day on the fixed-route system; 4) There can be no trip restrictions or priorities based on trip purpose; 5) Service must be made available to eligible persons on a next-day basis; and 6) There can be no constraints on the amount of service that is provided to any eligible person. Specifically, there can be no operating practice that significantly limits the availability of service to ADA-paratransit-eligible individuals. ADA paratransit service must be provided to all individuals who are unable, because of their disability, to use the fixed-route system, some of the time or all of the time. The criteria for determining eligibility are also regulated by the ADA, and OCTS must have a documented process in place to determine if an individual qualifies for ADA service. It provides the general framework and approach for ending discrimination for persons with disabilities. The stated national goals of the ADA are to guarantee that persons with disabilities have equality of opportunity, a chance to fully participate in society, ability to live independently and be economically self-sufficient. The Americans with Disabilities Act regulations require Orange County, as a public entity that operates a fixed route system, to provide complementary paratransit services to individuals with disabilities ("complementary" is that service comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without disabilities who use the fixed route system). ADA regulations require the complementary paratransit service area to be within% mile of the fixed-route system (see 49 CFR§37.131(a)). Per 49 CFR§37.131(g), public entities may provide complementary paratransit service to ADA paratransit individuals exceeding that required by §37.131(a). In general, the law prohibits public transit systems from denying individuals with disabilities the opportunity to use public transportation services, if the individuals are capable of using the system. It also prohibits public entities from providing services that discriminate against persons with disabilities. The ADA is an opportunity to develop programs that ensures the integration of all persons into not just the transportation system of America, but all the opportunities transportation makes possible. The goal is to ensure non-discriminatory, equitable, and safe public transportation and enhancing the social and economic quality of life for people with disabilities. Specific actions must be taken by public transit agencies to avoid discrimination. For example, the law requires that: All newly purchased or leased vehicles used in fixed-route service must accessible to persons with disabilities. Orange County Planning Department Page 2