Who can apply for ADA Paratransit service?

Anyone with a disability can apply for ADA Paratransit service.  A disability is defined as:

“A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of major life activities of such individual; a record of such; or being regarded as having such an impairment”

How does one become eligible for SEAT’s ADA Paratransit Service?

• You can contact the SEAT ADA Manager directly at 860-886-2631, extension 106.
  Application materials are mailed to new applicants upon request and to applicants needing re certification. Applications can be downloaded here.
• Applications can be completed online with the following link HERE.
• Applications can be completed in a .pdf format online by clicking HERE.
• All applications are reviewed upon receipt.
• ADA Manager will contact the individual to schedule a face-to-face interview held at Southeast Area Transit District – Administration Office, transportation at no charge will be provided.
• Professional Verification could be needed before making a eligibility decision.
• Applicant will be notified in writing of their eligibility, and if unconditional eligibility is not granted the reasons why will also be in writing.

The Southeast Area Transit District is committed to providing customers including those with disabilities with safe, reliable, accessible and user-friendly services.

In compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (49 CFR Parts 27, 37, 38 and 39), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Southeast Area Transit District ensures its services, vehicles, and facilities are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. Anyone who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of disability may file an ADA complaint.

• Form can be mailed by request, please call the SEAT ADA Manager at 860-886-2631 extension 101.
• Form can be downloaded: ADA Complaint Form and Process
• Form can be faxed to 860-886-6097 Attn:  SEAT ADA Coordinator
• Send an email to our ADA Manager at [email protected]
• Call 860-886-2631 extension 106 a request can be made over the phone
• Mail a request to:
  ADA Manager
  21 Route 12
  Preston, CT 06365

If the complainant is unable to write a complaint, a representative may file on his or her behalf, or SEAT staff will provide assistance. Complaints must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged incident.  The ADA Coordinator will contact the complainant within 10 business days of receipt of complaint. Any requested information must be received by SEAT within 5 days as

SEAT will begin the investigation within 15 business days of receipt of complaint if the alleged discrimination is found to be a violation of ADA regulations.

An investigation into the complaint will be conducted and documented to determine whether SEAT failed to comply with ADA regulations.

SEAT will complete the investigation within 60 calendar days of receipt of complaint. If additional time is needed for the investigation, the complainant will be notified.

SEAT will promptly communicate its response to the complainant, including its reasons for the response. The complainant will have 5 business days from receipt of SEAT’s response to file an appeal. If no appeal is filed, the complaint will be closed.

What is Reasonable Modification?

The Southeast Area Transit District is committed to providing customers including those with disabilities with safe, reliable, accessible and user-friendly services.   As part of this commitment, SEAT has adopted this policy to provide a procedure for receiving, processing and responding to requests for reasonable modifications to SEAT’s Policies or practices by individuals with disabilities.

Legislation

On March 13, 2015, the Department of Transportation issued a Final Ruling regarding 49 CFR Parts 27 and 37 Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities; Reasonable Modification of Policies and Practices.  This ruling requires public entities providing designated public transportation services to make reasonable modifications/accommodations to policies and practices to ensure program accessibility.  The rule further requires that public entities adopt a formal process for tracking and responding to said requests for modifications.

Reasonable Modifications Request Form

• Individuals requesting modifications shall describe what they need in order to use the service.
• Individuals requesting modifications are not required to use the term “reasonable modification” when making a request.
• Whenever feasible, requests for modifications shall be made and determined in advance, before SEAT is expected to provide the modified service, for example, during the Paratransit eligibility process, through customer service inquiries, or through the SEAT’s feedback process.
• Where a request for modification cannot practicably be made and determined in advance, operating personnel shall make a determination of whether the modification should be provided at the time of the request.  Operating personnel may consult with SEAT’s management before making a determination to grant or deny the request.

SEAT will accommodate requests provided that:

• Fundamental nature of the service, program or activity is not altered, or
• It does not cause a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or
• It does not result in an undue financial and administrative burden, or
• The requester would not be able to fully use the service provided by SEAT without the modification.
• The ADA Programs Manager will respond to the requester within 10 days upon receipt of request via telephone and/or mail depending if additional information is needed.
• Determination will be made and notified in writing to the requester.

Granting a Reasonable Modification Request

• As soon as SEAT determines that a reasonable accommodation will be provided, that decision shall be immediately communicated to the individual. This notice must be in writing in order to maintain the required information for reporting purposes.  Upon request, alternative means of response will be provided.

•  In choosing among alternatives for meeting nondiscrimination and accessibility requirements with respect to new, altered, or existing facilities, or designated or specified transportation services, SEAT shall give priority to those methods that offer services, programs, and activities to qualified individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Denying a Reasonable Modification Request

As soon as SEAT determines that a request for reasonable accommodation will be denied, SEAT will communicate the basis for the decision in writing to the individual requesting the modification. The explanation for the denial will clearly state:

• the specific reasons for the denial;
• any alternative accommodation that may create the same access to transit services as requested by the individual; and
• the opportunity to file a complaint relative to the SEAT’s decision on the request.

REQUEST DENIALS/PROTESTS

If a request for reasonable modification is denied, the requester has the right to protest the decision by following SEAT’s ADA denial procedures.  Copies are available upon request.  Also, a copy of the ADA protest procedures will be included with the written decision of denial.  SEAT will take, to the maximum extent possible, any other actions that may be available to them to ensure that the individual with a disability receives the services or benefits provided by SEAT that would not result in a direct threat or fundamental alteration.

SEAT REASONABLE REQUEST FORM:

There are several ways to obtain and submit a Reasonable Modification/Accommodation request form:

• Form can be mailed by request, please call the ADA Programs Manager at 860-886-2631 extension 106
• Please contact SEAT’s ADA Programs Manager directly at 860-886-2631, extension 106 for alternate formats of information about ADA services.
• Form can be downloaded:  Reasonable Modifications Request Form
• Form can be faxed to 860-886-6097 Attn:  ADA Programs Manager
• Send an email to our ADA Programs Manager at [email protected]
• Call 860-886-2631 ext. 106 a request can be made over the phone
• Mail a request to:
  SEAT Reasonable Modifications
  21 Route 12
  Preston, CT 06365

Visitors who are certified eligible for ADA paratransit services in their home areas are eligible for paratransit services in our area for up to 21 days in a 12 month time frame.  If they do not have an ID card stating their eligibility in another system, we may require that their home ADA Paratransit service provide verification to our ADA Manager. Reservations should be made one (1) day up to fourteen (14) days in advance.

Visit our Routes & Schedules section to find more info about our route service hours – or use our real-time bus tracker.

For Holiday hours please visit our Holidays Info page.

Current fare rates for ADA/Paratransit:

• One-way Trip – $3.50
• 10-Ride Ticket Book – $35.00

For more info about Senior & Disabled Fares, view our Rider Info page.

Please see the above ADA documentation above for more information.