FTA Complaint Process & Hot Topics in ADA Compliance · Hot Topics: Service Animals §37.3,...
Transcript of FTA Complaint Process & Hot Topics in ADA Compliance · Hot Topics: Service Animals §37.3,...
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CalACT Autumn Conference Berkeley, CA
Sept. 22, 2011
Dawn Sweet
FTA ADA Team
FTA Complaint Process &
Hot Topics in ADA Compliance
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FTA Office of Civil Rights
Headquarters teams
TED and ADA
Regional civil rights
officers
3 ADA program areas
Technical assistance
Compliance reviews
Complaint investigations
www.fta.dot.gov/ada
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Transit Agency Complaint Process §27.13
Adopt complaint procedures
that provide for prompt and
equitable resolution
Maintain a copy of all
complaints of ADA
noncompliance for 1 year
Maintain a record (summary) of
all complaints for 5 years
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FTA Complaint Process §27.123, 37.11
Any person who believes they been harmed by a failure to comply with regulations may file a written complaint
Form or letter
Sufficient content
FTA is to conduct a “prompt” investigation whenever a complaint indicates a possible failure to comply
“Designated Agency” status
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FTA Caseload Snapshot
About 150 complaints yearly
Fixed route
Priority seating, lift use,
maintenance, stop announcements
Paratransit
Late pickups, no-shows,
eligibility, service area
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Resolution Process
Our possible approaches:
Templates
Information request to GM
Information request to staff (e.g., ADA coordinator)
Compliance review
What we want from the transit provider:
30-day turnaround for response
Prompt response to follow-up questions
Comprehensive, responsive to all requests
Good, succinct narrative
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FTA Enforcement §27.123, 37.11
Emphasis on informal resolution
Goal is to fix deficiencies, not sanction
Means of enforcing of compliance:
Withhold/condition federal funds
Referral to the US Department of Justice
Memorandum of Understanding
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Hot Topics: Suspension for Behavior §37.5(h)
Requirements
Can deny service for
seriously disruptive,
violent or illegal conduct
(or a “direct threat”)
“Direct threat” means a
significant risk to the health
or safety of others that
cannot be eliminated
Due process and
suspension length
Issues
Hygiene
Verbal acts
Physical acts
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Hot Topics: Service Animals §37.3, 37.167(d)
Requirements
Transit agency must
permit service animals
“Any guide dog, signal dog,
or other animal
individually trained to
work or perform tasks
for an individual with a
disability . . .”
Animal must be under
owner’s control
Issues
DOJ’s rule change
Emotional service animals
Barking and other dog-like
behavior
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Hot Topics: Priority Seating §37.167(j), Part 38
Requirements
Drivers must ask the following persons to move:
“(i) Individuals, except other individuals with a disability or elderly persons, sitting in a location designated as priority seating for elderly and handicapped persons (or other seat as necessary); (ii) Individuals sitting [in] a fold-down or other movable seat in a wheelchair securement location.”
Issues
When does the driver ask nondisabled to move
Ambulatory disabled in flip up securement area seats
Mandatory move policy ok
Walkers
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Hot Topics: Lift Use §37.165
Requirements
Must allow standees on lift
Driver must assist with
lifts/ramps
May need to help push a
manual wheelchair user
up/down ramp
Must allow wheelchair
users to board forward-
or rear-facing
Issues
Standees
Boarding separately from
wheelchair
Boarding direction
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Hot Topics: Steering to Non-ADA Service
Requirements
Cannot limit the availability of paratransit service
Issues
Commingled service
offering paratransit
applications only to those
under 65 years
No information about
paratransit on website
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Hot Topics: General Demand-Responsive §37.77
Requirements
Nondiscrimination
provisions in §37.5
General services
provisions in Subpart F
(lifts, training, etc.)
Vehicles must be
accessible unless
equivalent service is
provided
Issues
Vehicle acquisition
Riders’ misunderstanding
of requirements
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Questions
Dawn Sweet
ADA Team
Office of Civil Rights
Federal Transit Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room E-54
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-0529
FTA ADA Assistance Line
(888) 446-4511
FTA ADA Website
www.fta.dot.gov/ada