Transportation Services

Ability Beyond ADA Service Requirements

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 regulations (37 CFR Subpart G) identify specific service requirements applicable to public and private entities providing transportation service, including but not limited to the following:

Maintenance of Accessible Features: All providers of transportation service must maintain in operative condition the features required to make facilities and vehicles accessible to individuals with disabilities. These features include lifts, ramps, securement devices, elevators, signage, and systems to facilitate communication. All accessibility features must be repaired promptly.

Lift and Securement Use: Public and private entities providing transportation service must have a securement system for wheelchairs. Grantees may require that wheelchair users permit their wheelchairs to be secured, but may not deny service on the grounds that a wheelchair cannot be secured. Grantees may not require a wheelchair user to transfer to another seat. Staff must provide assistance upon request or as necessary with lifts, ramps, and securement systems.
Grantees must permit individuals with disabilities who do not use wheelchairs to use the vehicle’s lift or ramp.

Service Animals: Grantees must permit service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and facilities.

Lift Deployment at Any Designated Stop: Grantees must not refuse to permit a passenger who uses a lift to disembark from a vehicle at any designated stop, unless the lift cannot be deployed, the lift will be damaged if it is deployed, or temporary conditions preclude the safe use of the stop by all passengers.

Service to Persons Using Respirators or Portable Oxygen: Grantees may not deny service to individuals using respirators or portable oxygen.

Adequate Time for Vehicle Boarding: Grantees must ensure adequate time for individuals with disabilities to board or disembark a vehicle.

Additional regulations and guidance may be found by going to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) website:

https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/part-37-transportation-services-individuals-disabilities

Ability Beyond - Notifying the Public of Rights under Title VI

• Ability Beyond operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with Ability Beyond.
• For more information on Ability Beyond’s civil rights program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact (203) 826-3055,TRS 711; email complimentcomplaintcompliance@abilitybeyond.org; or visit our administrative office at 4 Berkshire Boulevard, Bethel, CT For more information, visit abilitybeyond.org.
• A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Connecticut Department of Transportation by filing a complaint with the Office of Contract Compliance, Attention: Title VI Coordinator, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111
• A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590
• If information is needed in another language, contact (203) 826-3055.

Drivers will not limit or restrict the amount of time needed to for a passenger to board the bus.

Title VI Complaint Procedure

Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by Ability Beyond may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the Ability Beyond Title VI Complaint Form. Ability Beyond investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. Ability Beyond will process complaints that are complete.

Once the complaint is received, the Ability Beyond will review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by our office. Ability Beyond will notify the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Title VI Coordinator of any Title VI complaints filed, within 10 business days of receipt.

Ability Beyond has 90 days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, Ability Beyond may contact the complainant. The complainant has 30 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 30 business days, Ability Beyond can administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

After the investigator reviews the complaint, she/he will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. An LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or any other action will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 30 days after the date of the letter or the LOF to do so.

A person may also file a complaint directly with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Contract Compliance, Attn: Title VI Coordinator, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111; or directly with the Federal Transit Administration, at FTA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

To download the Ability Beyond Title VI Complaint Form, please use the link below.

https://cdn.bfldr.com/M5AG959/as/2svnmk67xw59kgcm6j4n55jc/FTA_Title_VI_Complaint_Form_Template_CT_DOT_Required