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

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19 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan manager, etc.), and documentation as to why they are unable to access fixed-route service must be provided. A determination of eligibility is made in these cases based on the functional ability or inability of a person to access fixed-route service and not solely on their disabled status. Applicants may be determined eligible for some trips and not others depending on circumstances, and eligibility can be temporary based on a temporary disability. ADA service may also be used as a feeder route to transport individuals to the closest public transportation route, which they can then access. Applicants are notified of their eligibility 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. 3. Determination of Ineligibility ana Appeais 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 are given 60 days to appeal the decision. If a request for appeal is received, OCTS must render a decision within 30 days. Services are not provided during this review process. 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 OCTS Transportation 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. ADA paratransit service may also be affected by a pattern of no-shows in which ADA-eligible registrants abuse the service by making reservations but not appearing to make use of the service. To avert the detrimental effects of this behavior on the effectiveness and efficiency of the service, OCTS has adopted an ADA paratransit service no-show policy. An appeal process is established to provide an objective and unbiased process through which individuals who are denied eligibility or service can obtain a review of the denial. An individual may appeal OCTS' decision to: • Deny paratransit service eligibility. • Grant conditional or temporary paratransit service eligibility. • Suspend or deny service due to a continuous pattern or practice of no shows or late cancels. • Suspend or deny service due to willful refusal to pay the fare. • Suspend or deny service because an individual engages in violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct on a paratransit vehicle or toward a paratransit driver. Orange County Planning Department Page 13