American With Disabilities Act Plan

Americans with Disabilities Act Plan –

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires that individuals with disabilities receive the same level of service as non-disabled individuals. Services that are “separate but equal” are not acceptable. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. This ADA policy is written to establish operating and service guidelines and procedures for the implementation of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) regulations for implementing ADA (49 CFR Parts 27, 37 and 38), and any applicable state laws and regulations. Tri-Valley Transportation Program operates a demand-response service and complies with ADA requirements with respect to such services. ADA Policy Statement It is the policy of Tri-Valley Transportation Program to comply with all the legal requirements of federal and state laws and regulations as they pertain to individuals with disabilities. If state laws and federal regulations are contradictory, the federal ADA regulations prevail. The transit system provides quality transportation services without discrimination to all persons including individuals with disabilities. Discrimination on the basis of disability against any person by transit system employees will not be condoned or tolerated. Goals: Service is provided in a manner that meets the following goals:

1. Provides safe, accessible, and dignified services to all persons, including individuals with disabilities.
2. Expedites the safe and efficient boarding, securing, transporting, and alighting of all passengers, regardless of mobility status.
3. Accommodates a wide range of mobility aids within the confines of available vehicles and commercial standard equipment.
Applicability: This policy applies to all transit system employees, services, facilities, and vehicles. It applies equally to all persons needing and/or using the services provided by the system.

Reasonable Modification Policy –

Reasonable Modification Policy The purpose of the reasonable modification policy is to ensure that Tri-Valley Transportation Program offers equal and effective opportunities and access to public transportation services for persons with disabilities and full compliance with the provisions of the Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This policy applies to all safety-sensitive transportation vehicle operators including full, part time, casual/substitutes/seasonal, and those staff that may be required to operate the vehicle. For the purposes of this section, the term reasonable accommodation shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the term ‘‘reasonable modifications’’ as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II regulations at 28 CFR 35.130(b)(7), and not as it is defined or interpreted for the purposes of employment discrimination under Title I of the ADA (42 U.S.C. 12111–12112) and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 1630. Tri-Valley Transportation Program is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to individuals with disabilities in all programs, services and activities. Tri-Valley Transportation Program recognizes that in order to have equally effective opportunities and benefits, individuals with disabilities may need reasonable modifications to policies and procedures. Tri-Valley Transportation Program will adhere to all applicable federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable modifications, as necessary, to afford equal access to programs for persons with disabilities. Tri-Valley Transportation Program does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, participation in, or receipt of services and benefits under any transit program or activity. Tri-Valley Transportation Program will take appropriate steps to ensure that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate. No individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of Tri-Valley Transportation Program, or be subject to discrimination by Tri-Valley Transportation Program.