North County Transit District

Accessibility - ADA Certification

this page contains:
Welcome | Paratransit Overview | Eligibility Check List | ADA Application | ADA Certification Contact | En Español

WELCOME
Information found on these web pages is for those wanting to use The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit service, called LIFT in North County. The Federal ADA has specific guidelines to determine who is eligible for ADA Paratransit service.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a federal law which provides comprehensive civil rights protection for individuals with disabilities. The information given in this document applies to the parts of ADA which deal with transportation. The ADA mandates that public, fixed-route transportation be accessible to persons with disabilities. (Fixed-route transportation is regularly scheduled public transportation that operates over an established route at a prescribed time). However, when a disability prevents a person from using the accessible systems, the ADA requires public transportation agencies to provide ADA Paratransit service.

ADA Paratransit is curb-to-curb transportation that must be available to go to the same general places during the same days and general operating hours as the fixed-route system. The ADA also requires Paratransit service within three-quarter mile of a fixed-route bus line, or between two regular fixed-route systems. ADA Paratransit service is not designed to be a complete transportation service and is NOT a medical transportation. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MUST BE UTILIZED.

The ADA requires an eligibility process for the ADA Paratransit service. In the North San Diego community: North County Transit District (NCTD) offers ADA Paratransit service to make up that part of the trip an eligible person with disabilities can't make on BREEZE fixed routes. NCTD also administers an ADA paratransit eligibility certification process.

Disability alone does not create eligibility, unavailability of fixed route service does not constitute eligibility; the decision is based on the applicant's functional ability to use the bus and IS NOT a medical decision. To learn more about ADA certification, read on.

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PARATRANSIT OVERVIEW
Click here to learn more about NCTD's ADA Paratransit service and how to ride LIFT.

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ELIGIBILITY CHECK LIST
Think you might qualify for ADA certification? The Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has specific guidelines for determining who is eligible for ADA Paratransit services. Disability alone does not create eligibility; unavailability of fixed route service does not constitute eligibility. The decision is based on the applicant's functional ability to use the bus and is not a medical decision. To see if you may be eligible for paratransit services, answer the following questions:

1. UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY TRAVEL:
Do you have a cognitive or physical disability that, some or all of the time, prevents you from getting on, riding, or getting off the bus without the help of another person?
If you answered "Yes": you may be eligible for ADA paratransit.
If you answered "No": this does not apply to you.

2. UNABLE TO RIDE LIFT-EQUIPPED BUS SERVICE:
For people who cannot use steps, NCTD buses have lifts, ramps and buses that kneel to help you get on and off the bus. The lift may be used at most bus stops and mobility training to the lift is available through NCTD. Does your disability require a lift boarding device to get you on or off a bus?
If you answered "Yes": you may be eligible for ADA paratransit.
If you answered "No": this does not apply to you.

3. UNABLE TO GET TO AND FROM THE BUS:
Does your disability prevent you from accessing a bus stop?
If you answered "Yes": you may be eligible for ADA paratransit.
If you answered "No": this does not apply to you.

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ADA APPLICATION
If you feel you may qualify for ADA certification, click here to download the following:

Application for Paratransit Certification and Healthcare Professional Verification Form

Please complete, sign and mail/fax the application to:

ADARide
6151 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 304
Los Angeles, CA 90045
FAX: (310) 410-0239

The Healthcare Professional Verification Form must be completed by a treating professional who knows you best. For your convenience, you have a choice of professionals who can complete this form; e.g. doctor, physical and occupational therapist, social worker, nurse, rehabilitation worker, etc. This form should not require an office visit and can be mailed or faxed (address and fax number above).

After July 1, 2008, your healthcare professional can also complete the form online at: www.adaride.com. In order to complete the form online, you will need to contact customer service at: 1-877-232-7433 to receive an application ID # and a password. Again, the online process will not be available until after July 1, 2008.

Thank you for your interest in NCTD’s LIFT ADA Paratransit Service.

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ADA CERTIFICATION CONTACT
Request for assistance to complete the ADA application or any questions regarding certification may be directed to:

By Mail		ADARide 6151 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 304 Los Angeles, CA 90045
By Phone		Phone: 1-877-232-7433 TTY: 1-310-410-0985
By Fax		1-310-410-0239
Online		www.adaride.com (only available after July 1, 2008)