ADA Dial-A-Ride Certification FAQs

Residents of Maricopa County are encouraged to offer input on a proposal that would change the current process of determining eligibility for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit certification, which allows access to specific paratransit (Dial-a-Ride) services in the Valley. The intention of ADA paratransit service is to provide access to transportation services for customers who, because of a disability, are prevented from using the fixed route bus system. The ADA requires that paratransit service is offered within three-fourths of a mile of any local, fixed route transit route.

Comments can be made by sending an email to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To download a copy of the recent ADA Paratransit Certification public hearing presentation click here.

1. Will I need to have my ADA certification renewed immediately?
2. What are the advantages of the new process?
3. What is a Valley Metro Transportation Case Manager?
4. Where will the interviews and functional assessments be located?
5. Who is going to do the assessment?
6. Can someone attend the interview with me?
7. I don’t appear to be disabled. How do I know I will be treated fairly?
8. How does this benefit me?
9. How do I get started?
10. Do I need to “prove” that I have a disability?
11. If I don’t agree with the decision regarding my eligibility, can I appeal?
12. What is the cost?
13. What is the future ADA bus and rail pass?
14. How is the future ADA bus and rail pass different from the City of Phoenix Dial-a-Ride pass?
15. When are these changes going into effect?
16. How can I comment?

1. Will I need to have my ADA certification renewed immediately?
   

   No, not until your current ADA certification expires.

2. What are the advantages of the new process?
   

   -Increase standard eligibility from 3 years to 5 years.
   -Lifetime eligibility for those who qualify based on needing to use ADA Dial-a-Ride for all trips.
   -Offer a free bus and rail pass to ADA eligible persons that are able to ride local bus or rail service. 
   -Referral to other transportation options and/or services (e.g. taxi subsidy, mileage reimbursement and/or travel training).

3. What is a Valley Metro Transportation Case Manager?
   

   Each customer will be provided with a Valley Metro Transportation Case Manager who reviews the customer’s application and conducts a confidential interview. The Case Manager will provide assistance in navigating the process, and can provide information and referrals for additional transportation options and services.

4. Where will the interviews and functional assessments be located?
   

   Assessment will be conducted in the same vicinity as the interviews. If needed, transportation to and from the interview site will be provided at no expense to the applicant.  Trip to interview site will also be provided without having to transfer between cities.

5. Who is going to do the assessment?
   

   Each customer’s Transportation Case Manager will conduct that customer’s interview. If a customer is referred for further assessments, those will be conducted by highly qualified rehabilitation professionals who specialize in the needed type of assessment. A customer will only be asked to participate in assessments as needed. This will help Valley Metro better understand the customer’s ability to take trips on the local bus and rail systems.

6. Can someone attend the interview with me?
   

   Yes.  Any customer can have someone with them during the interview.

7. I don’t appear to be disabled. How do I know I will be treated fairly?
   

   The current process requires Valley Metro to make decisions about each customer based only on written information. The proposed interview process gives each customer an opportunity to better explain his or her individual circumstances and abilities. In addition, various mobility assessments can be administered to aid in the determination process.

8. How does this benefit me?
   

   It provides better accessibility and resources for the certification process and for the customer. Customers can also benefit from learning about any travel training or programs such as taxi subsidy or mileage reimbursement , which leads to a higher level of mobility and independence.

9. How do I get started?
   

   Just like it is done today, you will begin with an application.  Mail the completed application to Valley Metro. Valley Metro staff will review the application and contact you to schedule an interview. Valley Metro will also arrange for free transportation, if needed. Interviews will last no more than one hour.  A Valley Metro Transportation Case Manager will conduct the interview and, when applicable, refer some applicants for further assessment. At the time of the interview, Valley Metro staff will also take your photo that will be printed on the ADA bus and rail pass.

10. Do I need to “prove” that I have a disability?
    

    The ADA eligibility process is not a determination of whether or not a person has a disability. It is an assessment of a customer’s ability to use the local transit system.

11. If I don’t agree with the decision regarding my eligibility, can I appeal?
    

    Yes. The current Valley Metro ADA eligibility process includes an appeals process, which has an appeals panel that includes people with disabilities. This same appeals process will remain in effect.

12. What is the cost?
    

    There is no cost to the customer associated with this proposed process.

13. What is the future ADA bus and rail pass?
    

    The proposed and future ADA bus (good on local, express and RAPID) and rail pass will have the recipient’s photo printed on it and will enable the customer to take unlimited rides on Valley Metro buses and on METRO light rail. This pass will be issued at no cost to those customers who are able to use it. For those who can use it, the consistency and frequency of bus and rail schedules offers greater independence and more mobility options. To help more customers benefit from this pass, Valley Metro will help customers identify travel training programs suited to their needs. Travel training programs would assist the passenger in learning how to use bus and rail. The future pass will be renewed annually as a means of updating customer contact information. Renewal of the pass will not affect a customer’s ADA paratransit eligibility status.

14. How is the future ADA bus and rail pass different from the City of Phoenix Dial-a-Ride pass?
    

    The City of Phoenix currently offers a monthly Dial-a-Ride pass for Phoenix residents only. The pass can be used for unlimited rides on Phoenix Dial-a-Ride and can also be used on bus and light rail. This pass must be purchased each month by the customer. The proposed and future ADA bus and rail pass would be offered Valley-wide at no cost to the customer. It can be used ONLY on Valley Metro buses and on METRO light rail. When using Dial-a-Ride service, customers will still need to pay the applicable fare.

15. When are these changes going into effect?
    

    A final proposal will be brought to the Valley Metro Board of Directors in the next few months. If they approve the proposal, it will take about six months to develop and put a program in place. Customers will only be asked to participate in the new process upon the expiration of their current certification.

16. How can I comment?
    

    We are accepting public comments through April 17, 2009.
    1. You may send email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
    2. You may send by U.S. mail to:
          Attn: Nichole Myers, Valley Metro RPTA, 302 N. 1st Ave., Suite 700, Phoenix, AZ 85003
    3. You may leave your comment with customer service by calling 602-253-5000.