Transportation Options for Individuals with intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Amy Goodman, Autism NOW Krystian Boreyko, Easter Seals Project ACTION

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Presenters Profile
Amy Goodman, MA Co-Director of Autism NOW The Arc 1825 K Street NW, Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20006 202-600-3489 agoodman@autismnow.org

https://www.facebook.com/AutismNowCenter https://twitter.com/autismnowcenter

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The Air Carrier Access Act

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and requires air carriers to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities.

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The Air Carrier Access Act (cont.)

Passed by Congress 1986 Covers all disabilities, including broken bones Cannot refuse a passenger because of disability Must provide any information given to others

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The Air Carrier Access Act (Cont.)

Cannot require proof of disability Do not generally require travel with another person as a condition to fly Air carriers cannot charge for providing facilities, equipment, or services Airports must be accessible and usable for all individuals

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The Air Carrier Access Act (Cont.)

Provides assistance with: Moving to and from seats Enplaning and deplaning Preparation for eating Use of wheelchair if needed Stowing, retrieving carry-on items Access to information of importance

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The Air Carrier Access Act

Does not assist with: Cannot lift or carry an individual Cannot feed an individual Using the restroom Cannot help with elimination functions or any medical services

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Tips for Air Travel

Plan Ahead Be Assertive Research Airlines Navigating Airport Security Utilize airline assistance hotlines Know your rights as a passenger

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Transportation Security Administration

(TSA)
Procedures for screening and checkpoints Information related to disability TSAs Notification Card to help communicate discretely. All passengers regardless of medical condition or disability must be screened Depending on disability or medical condition the screening may be different

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Acceptable Items on an Airplane

Casts Crutches Wheelchairs Support Braces Service Animals Ostomy supplies Canes Walkers Scooters Hearing Aids Slate and stylus Coclear Implants Any other disability related equipment and associated supplies Orthopedic shoes Prosthetic devices Support appliances Baby apnea monitors Augmentation devices Exterior medical devices Assistive/adaptive equipment CPAP machines and respirators Braille note takers Tools for prosthetic devices Personal supplemental oxygen concentrators Medications and associated supplies Tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly All diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies

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Transportation Security Administration

(TSA)
All items must be screened or visually inspected Including wheelchairs and scooters Types of screenings: o Metal detector o Advanced imaging technology o Pat down screening o TSAs notification card

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Transportation Security Administration

(TSA)
The type of screening you use will depend on your disability or medical condition Discuss the options with TSA prior to the screening to choose the appropriate one Be patient Be honest Know your rights

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Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

TSA Cares: Help Line- Call 3 days prior to travel 1-855-787-2227 Hours of Operation o Monday-Friday 8am-11pm EST o Holidays 9am-8pm EST E-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov

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Touching Individuals with Autism and other

Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

Appropriate or Inappropriate?

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Touching Individuals with Autism and other

Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

Ask first Use firm pressure when touching someone Explain what you are doing and why you doing it. Never use light touch Only touch necessary places

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Tactile Defensiveness
Touching can be a problem for individuals with disabilities. The reason: tactile defensiveness Body and brain use flight or fight response Individual may hit if touched the wrong way It is not their fault, they may not understand why they did it

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Tactile Defensiveness
Sensory Issues Different reactions to sensations Dont be alarmed or frightened Touch in a non-intrusive way Only touch if absolutely necessary Minimize touching body unless individual is okay with it.

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Obtaining a Drivers License

Against law- not to report Procedure-exactly the same Medical form

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Obtaining a Drivers License

What to bring with you: Medical form o filled out and signed by doctor Birth Certificate o Original copy o Courthouse not hospital o Proof of identity Social Security Card o Legally given name o Social security number Proof of Residency o two forms o i.e. voter registration card, bank statement
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Drivers License- How to acquire?

Fill out application and medical form Go to Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Take required information Take up to desk and get number Wait turn Take written exam Take eye exam

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Drivers License- How to acquire (cont.)

Take picture Pay fees For more information contact local DMV In person On phone On-line

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Adapting Motor Vehicles

Evaluate your needs Select the right vehicle Choose qualified dealer to modify the vehicle

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Evaluating your Needs

Driver Rehabilitation Specialists o Evaluation includes Vision Muscle strength Coordination Reaction Time Judgment and decision making skills Ability to drive with the equipment Insurance Company may pay

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Selecting the right vehicle

Collaboration: you, evaluator, and modification dealer You: purchase or lease vehicle Vehicle modification dealer: properly modifying the vehicle

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Choose qualified dealer to modify the vehicle

State Agencies specify dealer you must use- for reimbursement purposes Phone inquiry-ask questions Credentials, experience, and references Visit dealer-ask questions Specific questions: Cost, payment, how long, etc.

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Auto Insurance for Individuals with

Disabilities
Illegal for an insurance company to charge higher premiums solely on the basis of a disability ADA- prohibits insurance companies from increasing auto insurance rates for disabled individuals without any due cause Diabetes, epilepsy, and certain heart conditions

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Auto Insurance for Individuals with

Disabilities
Anyone can get auto insurance providing you have a car and a valid drivers license Be upfront about disability Provide any documentation to get best rate possible Some disabilities may require additional coverage

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Disability Plates and Permits

Qualifying disabilities Portable oxygen Legal blindness One leg or no legs Inability to walk 200ft Neuro-muscular dysfunction Class III or IV cardiac conditions Arthritic, neurological or orthopedic conditions Lung disease Physical or mental impairments which are equal in degree of disability

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Disability Plates and Permits

Proof of disability Need doctor to fill out the forms for you (MD,DO,DPM, OD) Application for License Plates and Parking Permits for People with Severe Disabilities Available at DMV, call center, or internet Doctors statement less than 1yr old Doctors Letterhead Doctors licensing state, number and signature are required

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Disability Plates and Permits

License Plates: International Symbol Passenger cars Motorcycles Vans Pick ups not for commercial use Only issued for a vehicle registered in the name of person who has the disability May only have one set of plates

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Disability Plates and Permits

Person with disability must be travelling in the car in order to use handicapped parking spaces Never park in access aisle or striped area next to a reserved space Remember you are not exempt from parking regulations or fees If you move to a new state, you must start over with your proof of disability

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Driver Services
Vocational Rehabilitation Assessment and Training Services Teens, Seniors, and individuals with disabilities Check with local VOC REHAB for specifics o Each one may have slightly different requirements

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Tax Relief Scheme for Vehicles

Vehicle must be modified for a specific disability to qualify Individual must have a severe and permanent medical condition or disability in that they cannot use the lower half of their body Need to have a Primary medical Certificate to qualify

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Tax Relief Scheme for Vehicles

Vehicles that are relieved of taxes must be used primarily for the transportation of a qualifying person with a disability Three ways to apply: o Driver with a disability o Passenger with a disability o Family members

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Car Share
Car Sharing is a service that provides 24/7 self-serve access to a network of vehicles stationed around your city, which can be reserved by the hour or day via smart phone, internet and call centers. Use and return it when you trip is over Cities: Washington DC (Zip Car), Austin (Car2Go), Boston (ICar),Los Angeles (LAXcarshare),Oklahoma City (Time Car), New York City (Mint), and other countries as well. For more info: refer to the handout that will be emailed to you.

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Bike Share
Bicycles that you share by reserving them by the hour ($1.50 and up), day ($5-$10), or year ($60-$75). For reservations: visit kiosk, use credit card, punch in code, remove bike, ride and return Cities: Boston, Denver, Miami Beach, Minneapolis, and Washington DC For more info: refer to handout that will be e-mailed to you.

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References
www.southwestada.org www.tsa.gov www.mhtsa.gov www.transportation.wv.gov www.dmv.ny.gov www.compuquotes.com www.couragecenter.org www.revenue.ie http://www.carsharing.org/about/what-is-car-sharing/ http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/promote/bikeshare.cfm?/bikeshare www.walkinginfo.org

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Transportation Options and Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities

Krystian Boreyko Training and Technical Assistance Specialist

Easter Seals Project ACTION

April 30, 2013

WWW.PROJECTACTION.ORG

Meet the Presenter

Krystian Boreyko

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Easter Seals Transportation Group

Multiple projects focusing on:
Accessible transportation for people with disabilities Transportation for older adults Veterans transportation concerns School transition programs and travel skills for students Mobility management

Easter Seals Project ACTION

Funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration
Housed within Easter Seals Office of Public Affairs Since 1988

Our Mission
To promote universal access to transportation for people with disabilities under federal law and beyond by partnering with transportation providers, people with disabilities and others through the provision of training, technical assistance, applied research, outreach and communication.

Session Outline
Overview of ADA regulations for transportation
Available transportation options including: Buses Paratransit Trains and Subways Taxis

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ADA Basics
The ADA is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities
Regulations pertaining to transportation intended to create an equal travel environment Requirement to make reasonable modification to policies and procedures

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ADA Regulatory and Enforcement Authority

US DOJ Title II public entities Title III places of public accommodation and commercial facilities US DOT Title II Part B public transportation Private transportation taxicabs and motor coaches Transit facilities

Stop Announcements
1. At transfer points with other fixed routes 2. At other major intersections and destination points 3. At intervals along a route sufficient to permit individuals with visual disabilities to be oriented to their location 4. At the request of a person with a disability

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Route Identification
If a stop is served by more than one route, operator must make sure a route identification announcement is made at the stop for waiting passengers
Operators must know the other routes well enough to provide travel instructions Announcement must be loud enough for individuals to hear clearly

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Service Animals
No national certification process for identifying service animals
Transportation providers can not ask for: A certificate Identification card Note from a physician The animal to wear a vest or other identifying gear No limitation on the type of animal

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Determining Service Animal Status

A transportation provider can ask:
Is that a service animal? Is that a pet? What tasks does the animal perform? Must rely on the answer provided by the customer Can not ask for a demonstration

Finer points of regulation

No limit to the number of animals a person uses
One in training Performing different tasks Fear, allergies, other objections not a reason to deny service For the driver For other passengers Handler must always be in control of the animal

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If There is a Problem
Speak to the person handling the animal
Explain the problem Allow the person to take action

Follow policies regarding what to do when disruption occurs on the vehicle

Regulations on Mobility Devices

The term common wheelchair has been removed from the regulatory language
Originally intended as operational use of design concept In practice, was used to exclude customers using mobility aids that didnt meet the definition Court found that this was legal given the DOT language on common wheelchairs

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New Regulatory Language

Transit providers must carry a wheelchair and occupant
If the lift (or ramp) and vehicle can physically accommodate them Unless doing so is inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements

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Lifts, Ramps, and Securement Areas

Lifts are for the use of anyone who asks for them.
Need not be a person using a wheelchair. Securement spaces for the use of passengers in wheelchairs ADA requires securement be available. Transit agencies can have a policy on use. If your agency has a policy requiring securement but equipment is unable to secure the mobility device, you are still required to transport the individual.
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Amendments for Rail

Rail station requirements apply only to new or altered commuter, intercity and high-speed station platforms
No retrofitting is required

Where no track through station is shared with freight, full-length level-entry boarding is required

Methods to Achieve Performance Standard

Full-length level-entry boarding
Car-borne lifts Station-based lifts

Mini-high platforms

ADA Resources
Federal Transit Administration http://fta.dot.gov/ADA

Resources
U.S. Access Board http://www.access-board.gov

MOBILITY OPTIONS

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Public Transportation Services

Fixed Route
Demand Response Motorcoach

ADA Complementary Paratransit

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How to Ride
Trip planning
Visit your local transit providers website Level of service depends on population size Take advantage of customer service line Online resources Google transit directions

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Accessibility for Fixed Route

External vehicle signs Bike racks Steps, lifts, ramps, kneeling system Wheelchair boarding and deboarding processes Fare box Internal vehicle signs Alternative format signs Stop request signals Priority seating area Mobility aid securement system Securement locations and processes Public Announcement (PA) system Security equipment and processes Safety equipment and processes

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Demand-Response
Popular in more rural areas
Rides are reserved ahead of time Smaller vehicles

Often does not have designated stops

Origin to destination service

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Motorcoach Service
Larger vehicles

Travel longer distances

Wheelchair Lift located in rear of vehicle On trip longer than 3 hours, drivers must provide a comfort stop on request if the coach has an inaccessible restroom Operators providing interline service to customers using mobility devices are required to contact all subsequent carriers so that each one is prepared to provide accessible service for the customer at 64 transfer points

DOT Definition of Large and Small Operators

Determined by annual revenue Large operator has gross annual transportation revenue equal to or exceeding $9.3 million Small operator has a gross annual transportation revenue less than $9.3 million

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Accessibility of Fleet
Large operators are expected to have accessible fleets
Replace inaccessible buses as they go out of service

Most should be close to 100% accessible by now

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Accessibility of Fleets (cont.)

Small operators may request customers to give 48 hours notice if an accessible vehicle is needed
If the request is not made in advance, provider is still required to make a good faith effort to provide an accessible vehicle

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ADA Complementary Paratransit

Paratransit as a complement to fixed route service
Each public entity operating a fixed route system shall provide paratransit or other special service to individuals with disabilities that is comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without disabilities who use the fixed route system. 37.121 (a).

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Where Paratransit Goes

Service must be comparable to fixed route service
Must service within mile of the fixed route For rail or bus stations, service must be within a mile radius round the station If an eligible rider resides outside service area, s/he can travel into service area and then use the service

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Eligibility for Paratransit Services

Three categories of eligibility:
Category 1: includes persons with disabilities that are unable to use accessible fixed route service

Category 2: includes persons with disabilities that have the ability to use the accessible fixed route services, but the service available is not accessible
Category 3: includes persons with disabilities that are unable to travel to or from a station or a bus stop
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Types of Eligibility
Unconditional: Not reasonable for individual to use fixed-route services for any trips under all conditions
Conditional: Individual is able to use fixed-route services under certain conditions Temporary: For an individual whose disability is temporary or functional abilities are expected to change

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Scope of Paratransit Service

Trips are origin-to-destination
Systems can have a basic level of service Curb-to-curb Door-to-door

No specified trip type: can be medical, work, recreation, etc.

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Trains/Subways
Heavy Rail
Light Rail Passenger Rail

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Accessibility
Level boarding
Tactile strips along platform edge at key stations Area in rail vehicle for mobility device

Stop announcements
Stations made accessible with elevators

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Taxis
Must offer same level of customer service
Drivers provide assistance upon request (not including lifting the passenger)

Must transport customers in mobility devices

Must transport service animals Cannot charge additional fees

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Important Note

Passenger can request assistance from the operator on any mode

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Learning to Ride
Travel Training:
Learning to ride public transportation independently Contact ESPA for more information on travel training services in your area

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Different Levels of Travel Training

Transit Orientation Group or individual activity which explains the transportation systems Options and services available Use of maps and schedules; Paying fare; Use of mobility devices while boarding, riding and exiting Other vehicular features

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Levels of Travel Training (cont.)

Familiarization
Individual or small group trip activity to demonstrate the use of transportation systems; A travel trainer accompanying experienced traveler(s) on a new mode of transportation or route.

1-6

Levels of Travel Training (cont.)

Travel Training for an Experienced Traveler One-to-one short-term instruction Provided to an individual who has previously traveled independently Provided to individual who needs additional training or support to use A different mode of travel A different route Mode of transit Travel to a new destination

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Levels of Travel Training (cont.)

Travel Training for a New Traveler
One-to-one comprehensive, specially designed instruction in the skills and behaviors necessary for independent travel on public transportation Provided to an individual who does not have independent travel concepts or skills to go from point of origin of trip to destination and back

1-8

Thank you!
Krystian Boreyko 800-659-6428

www.projectaction.org
kboreyko@easterseals.com

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Webinar Materials The PowerPoint, recording and additional handouts will be provided in a follow-up email. Email Phuong (pnguyen@autismnow.org ) if you have any questions.

Website: www.autismnow.org
Information & Referral Call Center: 1-855-828-8476 Next Webinar: Tuesday, May 28, 2012, 2:00-3:30 PM, EDT Service Implications of the DSM-5 for People with Autism