Accessibility - ADA Overview

this page contains:
Videos | BREEZE Flash Books | Civil Rights | Grievances | PCAs | Specialized Transportation | ADA Contact | En Español

This is where you can find NCTD information relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and all programs & compliance data. NCTD strives to make public transportation safe and accessible for all citizens.

For individuals with disabilities, we will provide assistive services. To obtain such services or copies of documents (such as public hearing announcements or board agendas) in an alternate format, please call or write to us, a minimum of 10 working days prior to the event. We will make every attempt to accommodate requests that do not give 10 days notice. Contact information is listed at the bottom of this page.


VIDEOS
Learn how to ride the BREEZE bus system by viewing these helpful videos.

BREEZE FLASH BOOKS
NCTD is pleased to announce the availability of the Breeze Flash Books. The Breeze Flash Book is a tool for the visually impaired rider of the Breeze buses to alert the bus driver of the desired route at multi-route stops. Information is printed in raised letters and numbers, as well as corresponding Braille. The book is easy to use - you simply flip the pages open to display the needed bus route, then you position the book so that the numbers are visible to the bus driver. The books are available upon request to visually impaired persons who ride the Breeze buses. Please contact Customer Service at 760-966-6500 to receive a book through the mail, or you may pick one up at 810 Mission Avenue, Oceanside CA 92054.

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CIVIL RIGHTS
"No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . . " - Section 104, Rehabilitation Act of 1974

California Government Code ���19702:
A person shall not be discriminated against under this part because of . . . physical disability, or mental disability, involving any program or activity funded by the State.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990:
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, and protects consumers, qualified applicants and employees with disabilities in accessing program services and requires reasonable modification to how those services and benefits are provided for equal access to them. Hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, job, training, fringe benefits, and other aspects of employment is also covered. The law and implementing regulations require the District to make reasonable accommodations to employees that do not pose undue administrative burden upon the District or fundamentally alter the work process or production.

NCTD has designated an ADA coordinator to carry out its responsibilities under the act. If you have any questions or concerns about ADA compliance, you may contact the ADA coordinator (see contact information under "grievances" section below).

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GRIEVANCES
NCTD has established a grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the U.S. Department of Justice regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This Grievance Procedure may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in NCTD practices and policies, or in its provision of services, activities, programs or benefits.

The complaint should be submitted in writing or verbally, and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant, and location, date and description of the problem. The description of the problem should include, if appropriate, bus number and time of day, employee name, and any person(s) involved or witnesses to the problem. Grievances may be submitted by e-mail, provided they identify the communication as "ADA Grievance". Other alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request. The request should be made to the ADA Coordinator listed below.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the alleged violation. Contact information is at the bottom of this page. The ADA Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within seven calendar days of its receipt.

To ensure processing of the complaint in a timely manner, the time deadlines below will be followed whenever possible. An investigation, conducted by the ADA Coordinator or designee, will follow the filing of the grievance.

Investigations are informal but thorough, affording all interested person(s) and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the grievance. The investigation may include discussing with the complainant the complaint and possible resolution. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the ADA Coordinator and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than 30 days after its filing. Upon request, the determination will be made available in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, audio tape, or E-Mail upon request.

The complainant can request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration should be made to the ADA Coordinator within 10 days of the date of the resolution. The request will be forwarded to the Executive Director for a final determination. The Executive Director will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 10 days of receiving the request for reconsideration. The Executive Director may make a final determination or may choose to refer the matter to the Board of Directors for final action. The resolution and/or referral to the Board will be communicated to the complainant. The decision of the Board is final. The Board's decision will be communicated to the complainant and/or his/her designee in writing. Upon request, the decision will be available in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, audio tape, or E-Mail.

The ADA Coordinator shall maintain a record of each complaint and appeal, the District's response(s), and steps taken to resolve the complaint.

The individual's right to a prompt and equitable resolution of a complaint will not be impaired by his/her pursuit of other remedies such as filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice or other appropriate state or federal agencies, or a lawsuit in state or federal court. The use of this grievance process is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Should you need to obtain this information in an alternate format due to a disabling condition, please contact us (see contact information at the bottom of this page).

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PCAs
Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) may ride regular SPRINTER trains, BREEZE & FAST buses free of charge when they accompany a person certified to use paratransit services. In other words, passengers who are certified to use LIFT paratransit with the assistance of a PCA, are eligible to let their PCA ride free on all SPRINTER trains, BREEZE & FAST buses. To apply for LIFT certification, click here.

Passengers need to show a "Paratransit/Reduced Fare ID Card" photo identification from NCTD with the PCA-YES symbol on it. The PCAs Ride Free on Fixed Route Program is only available on NCTD SPRINTER trains, BREEZE & FAST Buses, not the COASTER or San Diego (MTS) buses.

How To obtain a "Paratransit Reduced Fare ID Card"
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THE GREEN "PARATRANSIT ID" YOU DO NOT NEED A NEW PHOTO. If you had an In-Person Interview as part of your application process, you do not need to have another photo taken. Please call (760) 966-6500, or (760) 966-6561, and we can send you an ID through the mail. If you do not currently have the green "Paratransit ID" card, and are certified to use LIFT, you can come into our main office at 810 Mission Avenue in Oceanside, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to get your photo ID. If this is inconvenient for you, just call us! We will set a convenient time to come out and take your photo at your home, and send your photo ID in the mail. See "ADA Contact" information below.

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Specialized Transportation
Stride San Diego is a searchable database of information on specialized transportation services in San Diego County for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Full Access & Coordinated Transportation is the Consolidated Transportation Services Agency for San Diego County: (760) 967-4197.

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ADA CONTACT / LIFT CERTIFICATION

To obtain this information in alternate formats, contact

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En Español

Letra de la Introducción

Lista de verificación para tener derecho a los servicios de transporte especial (paratránsito) de ADA de NCTD

Solicitud de NCTD para la certificación de servicio de transporte especial (paratránsito) de ADA

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